Dear all - let me begin by introducing myself before I comment on one of my pet projects, Thar. Here I will also tell you how the germ of an idea called "Thar" got born.
I work as General Manager (Vehicle Development) in the Research & Development Centre of the Automotive Sector of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd in Nasik. I would like to say very clearly that I am extremely fortunate and proud to be part of one big M&M family. Yes, all of us in M&M are one big family. In our family of Mahindraites, "Auto Passion" is officially regarded as a necessary capability and it is very effectvely recognized. I am known to be one of the most "Auto Passionate" employees of the Automotive Sector. I have been part of various teams that have initiated and completed many key assignments in M&M, all related to various M&M products that you see on the roads today. It is always a team that delivers a product, never an individual. Therefore, it is my Thar team that has delivered the Thar, not me, all congratulations due to them.
As part of my job, it becomes natural that driving becomes part of my everyday activity. Driving is my passion. Therefore, I also took up vehicle testing assignments. I just love night driving. As a professional test engineer, I have the best job in the world. I firmly believe that there is a very distinct difference between fast driving and rash driving. You can drive as fast as you want provided you are not rash. I see numerous rash drivers on the roads who are not fast at all. When we overtake a car and go, we are long gone before people realise that something went. Our mantra for performance is - "smooth and silent surge of power".
I am also an avid 4*4 enthusiast, because I have worked on the development of the complete range of M&M vehicles, right from the CJ3Bs to the CJ4As, the CJ500Ds to MM540s to Armadas to Commanders to Marshals to Boleros to Scorpios. I was part of the very first Great Escape which was held in Kasara (120 kms from Mumbai) in January 1996 and never looked back. I used to drive a yellow CJ340, MH01P2540. I have done some 30 odd Great Escapes todate. The CJ340's offroad capability was legendary, as you all know. I took on the assignment of pulling out any vehicle which was stuck. In 1998, between my CJ340 and a Commander Hard Top 4WD equipped with a winch, we pulled out 30 vehicles stuck within a span of 400 metres. THIS EXPERIENCE OF 1998 WAS THE STARTING POINT FOR THAR. The idea to have an M&M 4WD vehicle as I would want it was always dormant in my mind, till about a year back.
I was quietly waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, till I got the driveline I wanted. I wanted at least 100 BHP and at least 25 kgm with vehicle dynamics to suit it. Then we made the Scorpio and suddenly I had access to an excellent package. My idea clicked into place. Gentlemen, so that's the Thar for you - THE THAR IS ESSENTIALLY A SCORPIO IN DISGUISE. IT WILL DRIVE LIKE A SCORPIO, SOUND LIKE A SCORPIO AND HANDLE LIKE A SCORPIO. IT IS LIGHTER THAN A SCORPIO. IT WILL GIVE YOU EXCELLENT HIGHWAY CRUISEABILITY TO COVER THOSE HUGE DISTANCES THAT YOU NEED TO TRAVEL ON ROAD TO REACH YOUR OFF ROAD DESTINATIONS AND ALSO PROVIDE YOU MORE THAN ENOUGH GRUNT TO ENJOY YOUR OFFROAD ADVENTURES WITH EXCELLENT OFFROAD ABILITY. I TOOK THIS ROUTE AS IT OFFERS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.
You will note that I started the thread in December 08 because I wanted all of you to connect so that you would actually experience M&M's commitment towards "CUSTOMER CENTRICITY" firsthand. I am very thankful to you all for your excellent responses.
So,that's how the Thar started. There is a long way to go. Please continue to give your comments as always. I will give my ideas for you to toss around so that the final product shall be exactly what you as customers want at the price at which you shall finally buy the product. Finally, I want this vehicle to actually sell in huge numbers and not just discuss in a thread.
Please accept my best personal regards,
Behram Dhabhar
Last edited by DHABHAR.BEHRAM : 11th January 2010 at 00:04.
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