[sarathlal]

The fluctuating aspects towards fuel pricing has damaged the auto industry a lot in the recent past. Initially it was the Petrol ones that got hit and companies like Honda, reluctantly switched to multi fuel products for survival.
Now, the scenario has reversed and the pinch is felt most by the diesel only brands, especially Mahindra.

They seem to have realized the imminent danger, and is now taking the opposite step which Honda took. Mahindra is making plans with SsangYong to develop 3 and 4 cylinder petrol engines.

Mahindra & Mahindra will not be developing the petrol powertrains based on the diesel engines but, the company will be developing new, separate and independent petrol engine which will offer superior performance. The company had not revealed the launch date of petrol powered cars, however it is expected that by 2016 that the company will launch the 3 cylinder 1.2 lire compact SUV in India. This move, they hope will untie their extremely dangerous dependency on diesel.

Related threads:
Discussion on the dangers companies like Mahindra face in our market: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ml#post2807051

Poll results for Petrol-Diesel consumer trends:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...iesel-car.html

Diesel:Petrol Car Sales Ratio. Major Shift in favour of Petrol Cars!:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...trol-cars.html

[ghodlur]

Originally Posted by sarathlal

Mahindra is making plans with SsangYong to develop 3 and 4 cylinder petrol engines.

Source for this information?

M&M had the Vibe and Verito in the petrol avatars but have found no takers for them coz the Indian customer havent seen any good petrol cars being launched by M&M. They still see them as the diesel SUV makers, although the market is not favouring even the diesel SUV's lately. M&M should IMO stick to diesel cars only.

[sarathlal]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

Source for this information?

Was analyzing MM strategy based on the thread by RSR on the petrol-diesel shift and stumbled upon this news. Could see this reported under multiple sources like Hindustantimes, AutocarIndia, IAB ..

Infact, this is not something new altogether, they donot have too much option left now to stick with Diesel. I believe MM had this idea during the XUV success days itself. But looks like, it took the shift in people mindset for them to attack this option more aggressively now.

[drmohitg]

Mahindra might not draw too much benefit by going down this road. Most of these passenger car vehicle sales is in the UV segment which will still be running on diesel. The vibe and verito sell too less in the private car category to merit a petrol engine. The Taxi industry will also still prefer diesel I guess.

[rohanjf]

A very good move, in my opinion. Mahindra may be a UV manufacturer in India, but they already have started R&D on expanding their product portfolio. Their mini-SUV will hit the markets soon. That's going to need a petrol engine. If not for Indian market, then for export markets. Mahindra is eyeing other developing nations where they aren't stereotyped as UV makers.

Let's hope they develop turbocharged petrol engines that give out decent power, compared to Renault's petrol engine they are using right now!

[zalaps]

It's always good to have petrol in stable. Govt. fuel strategies will make future planning for every auto company difficult. I think petrols will help mahindra in exports.

By the way, What will be engine names?

mSparrow
mCrow
mDuck
mBuzzard

[tharian]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

Source for this information?

M&M had the Vibe and Verito in the petrol avatars but have found no takers for them coz the Indian customer havent seen any good petrol cars being launched by M&M. .

Vibe was not launched with a Petrol version probably for the very reason that they knew it will not sell since no one belives in a M&M Petrol engine, although technicially it is a Renault Petrol on the Verito.

Regards

[amrisharm]

With Mahindra having future plans to export more of their products to International markets, it makes a lot of sense to focus on petrol Engines as well. In places like the USA, the Middle East and Australia, car companies sell as many Petrol powered SUVs as they sell Diesel powered.

So this strategy of focusing on petrol engines could be not so much for the domestic market, but more focused on their future strategy of exporting more models to overseas markets.

[E63]

The move makes absolutely no sense, apart from maybe in the Vibe.

Nobody is going to buy a Petrol Xylo/XUV/Scorpio anyway!

[JayPrashanth]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

Source for this information?

M&M had the Vibe and Verito in the petrol avatars but have found no takers for them coz the Indian customer havent seen any good petrol cars being launched by M&M. They still see them as the diesel SUV makers, although the market is not favouring even the diesel SUV's lately. M&M should IMO stick to diesel cars only.

This news is quite old. Mahindra and Ssangyong have tied up to build 6 new engines. Now and then, this recycled story comes up in the press for reasons I can't seem to fathom.

Cheers,

Jay

[arunkrishnan4]

M&M is slowly expanding its portfolio across the whole automobile spectrum; 5 yrs down the lane we can expect to see real hatchbacks (sorry Vibe) and sub-litre petrol engines from M&M. I really admire M&M for their sustained focus on R&D and keeping their product & design portfolio constantly evolving. Tata and AL have a lot to learn from M&M.

[girimajiananth]

Originally Posted by E63

The move makes absolutely no sense, apart from maybe in the Vibe.

Nobody is going to buy a Petrol Xylo/XUV/Scorpio anyway!

The upcoming petrol engine may not be for scorpio or xuv. It could be for some newer hatchbacks which may be launched at a later stage. It could be for export market as well.

[dipen]

Mahindra should focus on:

• Reducing the kerb weight of vehicles as their super heavy weights affect FE by a huge margin. Quanto is one fine example. Why should it be heavier than a Innova

• 3-cylinder petrols cars have all flopped except the Alto and Ecosport. It is time for refined 4-cylinder ones.

• Focus on the finesse for petrol powered cars. Will they be able to beat the Japs in refinement and FE is a huge question.

• People earlier bought their rough and tough diesels for practicality ignoring or accpeting the minor niggles. Todays petrol hatches need great fit and finish, interiors and high levels of refinement. Build quality (not sheet metal) but how the car is screwed together should be improved

[E63]

Originally Posted by girimajiananth

The upcoming petrol engine may not be for scorpio or xuv. It could be for some newer hatchbacks which may be launched at a later stage. It could be for export market as well.

How many hatchbacks does Mahindra sell anyway???
Just 1
And that too, not in enough numbers to justify the R&D

[girimajiananth]

Originally Posted by E63

How many hatchbacks does Mahindra sell anyway???
Just 1
And that too, not in enough numbers to justify the R&D

Correct , but how do we know for sure that they will not launch a new car in the future ? Like I said , it could be for export market too , or may be they can sell the engine to some other company (like fiat selling its diesel engine to TATA or Maruthi).

Mahindra is keeping its options open I guess.