Mahindra and Mahindra is planning to enhance capacity of its Haridwar plant, manufacturing three wheelers from the present 30,000 units to one lakh units shortly.
Vivek Nayar, vice-president, marketing (auto sector), Mahindra and Mahindra told FE here on Thursday that the capacity addition would be achieved by May this year. He said the Haridwar plant had been commissioned with an outlay of Rs 30 crore. When asked about the cost involved in expansion project, Nayar said that the cost was being worked out.
Nayar said Mahindra had a market share of 49% in three wheeler cargo segment in Punjab and Haryana. However, its overall share nationally was about 22%. He said the three wheeler market was growing at 18% and at present about 2.20 lakh three wheelers per annum were being sold. Of these 65% had diesel engines. The gas segment in three wheeler had grown by 42%. He added that three wheeler segment had huge potential and was expected to grow faster in view of infrastructure development.
Vivek Nayar, who was in Chandigarh for the launch of Alfa Passenger three wheeler said, the new vehicle would cost Rs 1.29 lakh and had several “customer-centric features designed on the basis of feedback from customers including spacious cabin for both driver and passenger, sitting comfort. Less vibration and low noise level, stylish vehicle and wide wheel base gave it better stability and safety”. Arun Malhotra, senior vice-president, sales observed that the company has developed technology to manufacture three wheelers to be run on LPG and CNG which already contributed to 16% of total sales.