Mahindra & Mahindra – the face of the Indian auto industry
The firm was named Mahindra and Mahindra. One of the founders – John Mahindra, was a diplomatic worker who served in Washington (USA), but for the sake of his automobile business, he left the diplomatic mission. And Clark Mahindra at the same time was the Deputy Minister of Finance of Pakistan, he became his brother’s business partner.
The Mahindra automobile concern began its production with the release of the Willys-Overland all-terrain vehicle, and the first car rolled off the assembly line only 20 years later, in 1965.
In 1954, Mahindra bought a license from Willys to assemble the CJ2B and CJ-3B jeeps and phaetons, which had a carrying capacity of just over 815 kg. At the end of the 50s. Willys FC “(4×4) trucks came out without a hood, again released under licensed production. There were relatively few changes to the Mahindra logo because the company focused on customer needs rather than design.
It took the Mahindra auto concern almost ten years for the CJ3B model to receive a domestic assembly, albeit slightly modified, as a result of which a separate independent model came out – the CJ4 jeep (1968). The CJ4 Jeep was distinguished not only by a wheelbase extended by almost 300 mm, but also by an improved chassis, as well as a removable plastic roof. After some time, an updated version was released – the CJ4A jeep, on which diesel engines of various capacities were installed, from 38 to 55 hp.
At the end of the 70s. The Mahindra automobile company began to increase production capacity, for which it bought an automobile license from the famous French auto manufacturer Peugeot. According to it, the Indian company could operate 2.1 liters. engine Indenor XDPG-4.90, thanks to which she was able to use diesel for her own automotive products. And soon several new car series came out, equipped with diesel engines from Peugeot: CJ340 (CJ3D) and CJ540 (CJ4D), equipped with a 4-speed gearbox, their maximum speed could be about 105 km / h.
At the same time, in the early 80s, in addition to cars that were assembled under purchased licenses from Willys, new ones appeared that were produced under license from the Jeep auto concern – this is the CJ-7 and CJ-8 model range. Outwardly, they differed slightly, only due to a lower bonnet, streamlined body lines and a small cell division of the radiator – all this was present on later models. Subsequently, the production of phaetons of the Commander series, impressive in size 5 and 8-seat station wagons, was based on their base. Five-seater Commander Marcha cars had a folding rear row of seats, which made it possible to use them as a freight transport. For export to Germany, Runabout models of the CL series were released – they did not have doors.
In the 90s. automobile production began to gain momentum, new models appeared, including comfortable 5- and 7-seater models of the Armada and Armada Grand station wagons, with a diesel engine from Peugeot. True, in recent years, technologies have been constantly improved, which affects more ergonomic and cost-effective engine models, and optional all-wheel drive can be installed on the MM series models.
In early 2000, the Mahindra auto concern entered into a partnership agreement with the Eurasia Motors manufacturing organization, which is entrusted with the manufacture and sale of pickup trucks, as well as the Bolero GLX and Scorpio models.