Mahindra

Mumbai, Nov 20 (UNI) As realization dawns in the Indian automobile sector, that even to stay on top of the Indian market, one needs to be a global player, India's leading utility vehicles major Mahindra&Mahindra (M&M) created a record of sorts today, by announcing plans to foray into the United States with it's Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV).

With this development, M&M would be the first Indian auto major to break into the North American passenger vehicle market.

''The decision to enter US, the most demanding automotive market in the world, is a deliberate and rational decision. As the market changes, we realize that even to stay on top of the Indian market, we need to be a global player and the US forms a crucial part of our strategy to make Mahindra a truly global company. Close to half of the global sales in SUV's and pickups is in the United States and we want to capture at least a small fraction of that to start with,'' a press release quoting Dr Pawan Goenka, president (Automotive) M&M said.

The company had earlier signed a distribution agreement with Global Vehicles USA Inc for the import and distribution of Mahindra vehicles, parts and accessories in September.

Global Vehicles has been given exclusive rights to market Mahindra products. A formal announcement of the date of launch and other details will be made during the second quarter of of next year.

M&M will be launching an upgraded version of it's SUVs and is investing in products to meet the FMVSS&EPA regulations, M&M's senior vice-president (Product development) Dr Arun Jaura said.

''We are fully equipped to meet the demanding US conditions when we launch our vehicles in the US. Majority of our export range of vehicles would be upgraded to match US standards,'' he added.

UNI SN WD AG1814