Mahindra and Mahindra rides on monsoon & new platforms; launches small CV 'Jeeto'

ZAHEERABAD (TELANGANA): Mahindra & Mahindra, the country’s largest utility vehicle maker, will develop a small diesel-powered commercial passenger vehicle at Zaheerabad in Telangana. The proposed four-wheeler will be on a new platform and carry the m-Dura diesel engine that the company has developed for its commercial vehicles, M&M’s executive director, Pawan Goenka, said at the launch of ‘ Jeeto’, a small commercial vehicle, at Zaheerabad on Tuesday. “The launch of the new product will be more than a year away from now,” Goenka told reporters.

‘Jeeto’, which has been positioned against Tata’s ‘Ace’ and ‘Zip’ and Piaggio’s ‘Ape Extra LD’, promises fuel efficiency of 27.8-37.6 km/l, based on the variant. It is M&M’s second platform launch after Maaximo, Goenka said, adding that the company sees big volumes opportunity from the three-wheeler and micro- and minitruck segments.

So far, M&M has invested .`300 crore in its light commercial vehicle manufacturing plant at Zaheerabad and Rs 100 crore in developing the m-Dura engine. Goenka said the company was looking at investing another Rs 150 crore on the proposed vehicle facility.

M&M has a capacity to produce 92,000 units of Jeeto every year, with a scope to expand it to 150,000 units.

The company is also looking at exporting ‘Jeeto’ to neighbouring countries including Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.