M&M unveils Asia's first bio-diesel vehicles

New Delhi, Feb 7 (UNI) Mahindra&Mahindra today announced its entry into the bio-diesel utility and vehicles market with the launch of Scorpio and Bolero DI vehicles.

Based on CRDE technology, the Scorpio is the first Asian vehicle in its class to run on 100 per cent bio-diesel. The company also unveiled a five per cent bio-diesel tractor.

''Our alternate fuel programme addresses India's fuel consumption needs and is, therefore, a natural extension of our priorities,'' Mahindra Group Chairman Keshub Mahindra told reporters here.

Mr Mahindra added that the company has proposed the large-scale implementation of the programme to the government.

However, the products will not be immediately available in the markets.

''It will take many years. The launch is an experiment. We have to test their durability, reliability, and overall performance.'' On being asked the timeframe of introducing 'Hydrogen-III', Mr Mahindra said, ''It's far away.'' M&M Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Affairs) Bharat Doshi said the company is eyeing to venture into European markets.

''We are not eyeing any particular country, but the whole of Europe,'' Mr Doshi said.

Inaugurating the vehicles, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said, ''The innovative use of this technology will serve as a benchmark in India's push for a sustained and more responsible use of valuable energy resources, which will help energy security and national security.'' M&M spearheaded two projects for its bio-diesel programme, one in conjunction with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, and the other with Indian Oil Corporation's R&D centre and Lubrizol Corp.

UNI