Mahindra is looking to restructure its EV, tractor and passenger vehicle businesses into separate entities.

According to a media report, the Mahindra Group has started the process of restructuring its auto business into three separate units.

The report suggests that Mahindra will undertake a demerger process to separate its EV, tractor and passenger vehicle businesses. At present, all three divisions come under Mahindra & Mahindra.

The report also states that the EV business and its manufacturing plant in Pune will be clubbed with Italian design house Automobili Pininfarina, while the farm equipment and tractor division will become a separate entity. Similarly, the passenger vehicle business will become a standalone entity.

Source: Economic Times

6 SUVs and 6 commercial vehicles will be battery powered.

Mahindra plans to launch 23 new products in the automotive sector in the coming years. These include 9 SUVs and 14 commercial vehicles. Out of these, 6 SUVs and 6 commercial vehicles will be battery powered. The next-gen Scorpio and XUV700 SUVs are scheduled to be launched in the current financial year.

Additionally, the company will launch 37 tractor models under its Project K2 by 2026. The K2 series is a lightweight tractor programme. These tractors are being developed by a collaboration between Mitsubishi Mahindra Agricultural Machinery, Japan and Mahindra Research Valley, India. They are expected to be launched in three to four years. The first set of tractors will be introduced in 2023.

While the tractor industry is expected to grow in the low single digits in FY2021-22, Mahindra is ramping up production as it expects a strong demand between June and July. Demand in the auto sector is likely to take a longer time to pick up.

Mahindra has planned investments amounting to Rs. 12,000 crore in new models in the auto and farm sectors. Another Rs. 5,000 crore will be invested in group companies as well as the auto and farm sectors.

The company has planned a total investment of Rs. 17,000 crore over the next three years. Out of this, Rs. 9,000 crore is to be invested in the automotive sector. While Rs. 6,000 crore will be invested in conventional vehicles, Rs. 3,000 crore will be kept aside for electric vehicles. Rs. 3,000 crore will be invested in the farm equipment sector.

Source: ET Auto

Mahindra has launched the Sarpanch Plus tractor range in Maharashtra. The new range includes the 575 Sarpanch Plus which is available with two engine options.

The new Sarpanch Plus has 2 BHP more than the outgoing model. In addition to extra power, the tractor also has higher peak torque and back-up torque. The tractor comes with an extra long stroke (ELS) direct-injection diesel engine that comes in two states of tune - 30 BHP and 50 BHP.

The Sarpanch Plus tractor series is offered with a 6 year warranty. The tractor can be booked online on this website for an initial payment of Rs. 5,000.

In addition to driverless cars, efforts are on to implement autonomous technologies in the farming sector. In India, manufacturers like Mahindra and Escorts are developing similar technologies that could benefit the average Indian farmer. 

Escorts recently showcased an autonomous tractor concept. It uses the internet of things (IOT) concept and artificial intelligence (AI) tools developed by Microsoft. Escorts has also partnered with Bosch and Reliance Jio for this project.

In September 2017, Mahindra had unveiled its first driverless tractor. It uses a GPS-based technology to autonomously maneuver itself around the farm and can be operated using a tablet. 

Mumbai-based start-up AutoNXT Automation has developed an autonomous electric tractor called the Hulk. It uses cameras and software to navigate around a farm. 

According to the company, only 18% of farmers who own more than 5 acres of land can afford to own a tractor. Therefore, a majority of farmers in India prefer to rent a tractor. The average cost of renting a diesel-powered tractor is about Rs. 1,500 per acre per hour. The company claims that renting their electric tractor would only cost Rs. 350 per hour.

Source: LiveMint

Mahindra has launched two variants of the Arjun Novo tractor in India. The Novo 65 HP and Novo 75 HP are offered in 2WD and 4WD variants with prices starting at Rs. 9.99 lakh for the 65 HP 2WD model and Rs. 12.5 lakh for the 75 HP 4WD variant (ex-showroom, Maharashtra).

The Mahindra Novo range of tractors come in an open station design with optional AC cabin. They have features like 4-way adjustable and air-suspended seat (AC cabin variant), tilt steering, suspended pedals, instrument cluster with diagnostic indicator, car-like combination switch and a twin position single button hood opening. The company is planning to introduce tractors with integrated cabins in India in the near future. 

The export version has additional features like push button start stop, digital instrument cluster with auto diagnostic indicator, 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, DRLs, power shuttle option for clutch free forward and reverse, air-conditioning with heater and ventilation, immobilizer, rear view camera and tiretronics.

The tractors are designed specifically for the 65-75 HP segment and have a high lift capacity and hydraulic systems, which make them suitable for various farming operations. The Arjun Novo 655 DI is powered by a 3.5-litre, in-line 4-cylinder diesel engine that puts out 65 HP @ 2,100 rpm and is mated to a 15-speed transmission with 15 reverse ratios. The Novo 755 DI has the same engine but with 75 HP. It has a 15-speed transmission with 3 reverse ratios. Both models have a peak torque of 305 Nm and back up torque of 28%. The creep function limits the speed of the tractors to 0.4 km/h and both come with provision for front PTO drive. The hydraulic pump has a flow rate of 56 Ipm and the system is capable of lifting up to 2,600 kg.

The Mahindra Novo range is available in one colour option - Metallic Deep Red Paint with a decal.

Mahindra has unveiled a driverless tractor in India. The vehicle has been developed at the Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai and is scheduled to go on sale next year in a phased manner. 

The driverless tractor is equipped with features such as:

• Autosteer - a GPS-based system that enables the tractor to travel in a straight line
• Auto-headland turn - enables the tractor to orient itself along adjacent rows without the need for steering input
• Auto-implement lift - enables the tractor to automatically lift the work tool from the ground at the end of a row and lower it after it has oriented itself for operation at the next row
• Skip - enables the tractor to steer to the next row for continuous operation without the driver's intervention

The tractor can also be controlled via a tablet. A farmer can program various inputs needed and prevent the vehicle from veering off from its intended path or desired operation. It also comes with a feature known as Geofence lock, which the company claims, prevents it from leaving the boundaries of a farm and a remote engine start stop system that has the ability to stop the engine and bring the tractor to a complete stop in the event of an emergency.

According to Mahindra, this autonomous technology will feature across all Mahindra tractor platforms ranging from 20 HP to 100 HP in the near future. The company also plans to introduce driverless tractors in international markets including USA and Japan.

Mahindra & Mahindra will be working on driverless tractors in the near future. This information was revealed by the company's Chairman and Managing Director, Anand Mahindra at the company's 70th annual general meeting.

Mahindra acknowledges the fact that driverless tractors will have a huge impact on the food production of the country. Moreover, since the tractors will need to mostly work in fields, the chances of accidents and collision are very remote. Hence, it would not be that hard to develop a driverless tractor, especially in comparison to an autonomous car that needs to deal with the congestion of city, traffic rules and road signs.

The Mahindra Group is already India's only home-grown manufacturer that has pure-electric cars on sale, under the Mahindra Electric brand name. The Group has also started tapping the shared mobility segment with its Tringgo platform that allows farmers to hire a tractor depending on their needs. The company also operates the Smartshift goods transportation business that is often referred to as the OLA and Uber of small commercial vehicles.

Source: ET Auto