M&M to set up technology academy to strengthen R&D

Mahindra & Mahindra will set up a technology academy at the Mahindra Research Valley near Chennai to strengthen in-house R&D capability.

The auto maker is also finalising plans for an overseas technology centre in Europe along the lines of the one it has in Detroit.

The 40,000-sq-ft academy will be commissioned in March. This will support fast-track development and launch of new vehicles – SUVs and tractors – said Aravind Bharadwaj, Head-Technology, MRV.

The MRV now has over 2,500 technically qualified personnel, including 1,500 graduate engineers and over 220 diploma holders.

In an interaction with journalists at the 125-acre R&D facility at Mahindra World City near Chennai, Bharadwaj said the MRV has contributed to the company launching three automobiles and two tractors in the last three years. This ‘quite aggressive’ approach will be intensified in the coming years with products featuring greater technology inputs cost effectively.

Over the last decade, beginning with the Bolero to the XUV 500, which set a benchmark in electronics, in house technology development has become increasingly complex.

A tractor testing track is also coming up at the MRV alongside the automobile testing track. Tractor R&D has contributed to making Mahindra’s sub-50HP tractors the fastest growing brand in the US, Bharadwaj said.

In the domestic market, farm mechanisation is picking up and that is driving demand for machines with greater capability and features. As affordability increases farmers are demanding `car-like features in a tractor.’

balaji.ar@thehindu.co.in

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