Is this what they have been waiting for?

[Joe Callimachus]

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Speculation at best, but what the heck else can we do?


Auto major Mahindra & Mahindra on Saturday inaugurated its Rs. 5,000-crore new manufacturing plant at Chakan (Maharashtra) that will enable the company to produce its entire range of products under one roof, reports PTI.

The 700-acre facility will have an initial annual installed capacity of three lakh units and will manufacture products ranging from the 0.75-tonne Maxximo to the 49-tonne Mahindra Navistar truck and the sports utility vehicle (SUV) range it plans to launch in the U.S.

“The plant has been envisioned as the hub of innovation and technology for the Mahindra Group, with several new products, including our new SUV and pick-up line rolling out from here,” Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) President (Automotive Sector) Pawan Goenka said in a statement.

Pune News 3-13-10

[blue7.3]

Wow! That was... uhh, mmm, anticlimactic... I guess.

-pete

[schlitz]

Now we know where all the wealth and jobs are going.

[moulin6801]

I think you found were they will produce the SUV that will come to the US market next year (even though the say this year... what a joke...) since they will still build the facility.

[Max465]

Actually, I read on Reuters that the pickup destined to the US will come from the company’s existing plant in Nashik. Whatever the case, the Chakan plant is definitely impressive in its scale and reflects Mahindra’s overall ambitions. I read in another article that the head of Mahindra’s automotive division is determined to make the division a global player: “Since our long-term aspiration is to be known as the premier SUV and pick-up manufacturer in the world, it is but natural that we must sell and be successful in the US.” So despite the various delays, I am feeling more confident than ever that I will get a chance to take a test drive someday soon!

[MahindraPlanet]

Agreed. My understanding (limited as it is) is that the Chakan plant was given a $150 million (of $1 billion total) to set up for the new (uni-body) Scorpio SUV line which is being (or has been) designed for late 2010 launch.

I believe the current TR20/40 will be built at the current facility.

It’s really interesting to see the production capacity numbers they are stating. Chakan is a monster. 700 acres and the capability of producing everything from the min trucks to big rigs. Plus room to build uni-body vehicles which likely has its own dedicated assembly line. 700 acres! Amazing. See my blog post for more relevant links.
Mahindra Planet: Mahindra Scorpio Platform Replacement Moving Forward