After a failed U.S. launch that resulted in lawsuits and lost dollars, Indian aautomaker Mahindra & Mahindra is setting up a technical center in the Detroit suburb of Troy, once again with hopes of bringing the brand to the States.
A compact pickup truck was the vehicle that Mahindra was trying to bring to America, but the original launch didn’t pan out because of complications with its business partner, Global Ventures.
The new technical center is said to be strictly for engineering, but it would make sense that it will also help Mahindra engineer its compact pickup for our market. General Motors, Navistar, Volvo and Bentley have already signed on as clients of the Mahindra engineering center.
Ever year, 500,000 vehicles are sold by Mahindra, a number the company plans on doubling by 2016. Part of this plan is to broaden the companies lineup, with a new electric vehicle already under development.
Undercutting the competition in terms of cost is the key to Mahindra’s engineering and design philosophy.
“We are able to innovate while designing in value,” said Rajan Wadhera, chief executive officer for technology and product development for Mahindra’ automotive and farm equipment sectors.
“Because of its ties to the automobile industry and motor sports, Detroit is known as the Motor City around the world. We wanted to be part of that culture,” Wadhera said, hinting again that Mahindra is aiming for the States.
[Source: Detroit Bureau]