Mahindra Maps Africa, Southeast Asia for Small CV Exports

Mahindra & Mahindra is mapping opportunities to export its small commercial vehicles to Africa and Southeast Asia after its large Indonesia order demonstrated the overseas potential for its pickups.

The automaker has started evaluating new export markets, Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra, told Autocar Professional.

“We have now realised that there are several markets out there that are ready for these kinds of vehicles,” Gollagunta said. “The Indonesia order was the first one.”

Mahindra secured an order in February to supply 35,000 Scorpio Pik Ups to Agrinas Pangan Nusantara, an Indonesian state-owned enterprise, during 2026. The vehicles will support cooperatives involved in agricultural logistics and the movement of produce from farmers to markets.

The order is Mahindra’s largest single export order and has encouraged the company to assess opportunities beyond Indonesia.

“Largely Southeast Asia and Africa is where we will start,” Gollagunta said. “Then we can go beyond that.”

Mahindra has not disclosed the countries, products or launch timelines under consideration. The company has traditionally concentrated its small commercial vehicle business on India, while its pickup range has had a wider international presence.

Exports to provide a buffer

Gollagunta said an overseas business could help Mahindra manage the cyclical nature of commercial vehicle demand in India.

“It is a nice buffer to have when there is cyclicality in the domestic business,” he said. “That gives a buffer for me to play with.”

Mahindra estimates the small pickup market below two tonnes at approximately 15,000 vehicles a month. Its share of the category stood at about 49% at the end of the previous financial year, an increase of six to seven percentage points, according to Gollagunta.

The company has about 52% of the commercial vehicle market below 3.5 tonnes, supported by a 63-64% share of the larger pickup category.

Mahindra will continue to prioritise India in the near term because of the ongoing replacement cycle and strong demand for small commercial vehicles.

“We are in the middle of a replacement cycle. Whatever I am turning out is being sold pretty quickly,” Gollagunta said. “At least in the short term, we will be focused on India. But we have definitely realised that there is a market for these vehicles outside as well.”