Mahindra Reva, Vodafone announce ‘connectivity’ initiative

Mumbai, April 10, 2013: Mahindra Reva, Vodafone announce ‘connectivity’ initiative

Mahindra Reva and Vodafone Business Services have announced a partnership that will enable those who buy the e2o use their smartphones to access a variety of services that can be operated from the car.

Explaining these functions, Navin Chopra, director- Vodafone Business Services, said the company was the first to offer this kind of connectivity and reiterated that the service has been tailor-made for the e2o. He recalled the company’s association with Mahindra Reva which went back two years ago when work began on the e2o. The connectivity suite is accessible on android, blackberry and iOS phones.

The e2o was launched in March in New Delhi at an on-road price of Rs 5.96 lakh, after factoring in the subsidy that is offered by the Delhi government. No other Indian state currently offers a subsidy.

Chief of technology and strategy, Mahindra Reva, Chetan Maini explained the various features that the car would offer through Vodafone’s telematics services that included unlocking and locking, remote air-conditioning battery status updates as well as access to the Mahindra Reva Help Desk.

Since its launch three weeks ago, several test drives have been taken but outright selling has not begun. The company has set up a network of charging stations in Bangalore. Mumbai has 15 outlets and more will be added. At the launch, Reva officials said they hope to sell 6,000 units in the first year. In 2014, the car will also head to export destinations that include the UK and Norway.