Mahindra and SsangYong to share vehicle platforms

By Kaustubh Shinde

After being chosen as the preferred bidder, Mahindra & Mahindra is now looking forward to jointly building new cars with the South Korean Automaker SsangYong (SYMC). Dr Pawan Goenka, President of the Automotive department (M&M), said that the two companies will collaborate on the future models by sharing technology and platforms.

Platform sharing will allow the two companies to drastically reduce their R&D cost and lead time for development of new vehicles. This is extremely important from SsangYong perspective as it hasn’t launched any new product since the last 4 years.

M&M is also charting plans to introduce SsangYong's products in India. The production will be carried out at the Chakan plant and the products that expected to be launched initially are Korando C and Rexton.

The Korando C is a compact SUV which is yet to be launched (pictured). It may be positioned below the current Scorpio. On the other hand, Rexton is a large-sized premium SUV based on the Mercedes M-Class platform that should be positioned to takeover Toyota’s Fortuner. Both these SUVs will be marketed under the SsangYong brand.

The acquisition will also give M&M access to Ssangyong's 1,300 international dealer networks across South America, Russia, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. Mahindra could use this terrific network to enter new markets with its Scorpio, Xylo, Xylo pickups and the World SUV.

Source - Hindu Business Line