Mahindra to MotoGP?
Mahindra Two Wheelers, a part of the US $7.1 billion Mahindra Group, has further consolidated its presence in the two wheeler segment, with record sales of 21,204 motorcycles in October 2010.
Mahindra motorcycles announced that its sales for the month of October 2010 stood at 21,204 units, as against 6,804 units in October 2009, an increase of 212%.
Total cumulative sales from April to October 2010 stood at 92,034 units, as compared to 22,758 units for the same period last year, an increase of 304%.
“Consumers have laid their trust in the Mahindra Two Wheeler brand and this is borne out from the momentum that is reflected in our monthly sales figures. We have achieved a double digit market share in scooters last month and our consumer base is growing rapidly.”
“This month we have also embarked on our motorcycle journey with the launch of Stallio and the initial response has been very encouraging.” said Mr Anoop Mathur, President Two Wheeler Sector and Member of Group Executive Board Mahindra & Mahindra.
The Mahindra Rodeo has contemporary features and is popular amongst Indian youth, while the Mahindra Duro is positioned as a family scooter. The Flyte is the Indian woman’s two-wheeler of choice, while the stylish Stallio creates a niche for itself in the motorcycles.
On Nov. 15, 2010, Mahindra & Mahindra recently stated on their Facebook account that they “will embark upon a path never tread by any Indian corporate in the world of motorcycle racing.”
They continued to say: “Mahindra will enter the MotoGP world championship with its very own team, to prove its engineering, design, endurance skills and compete against the best rivals in the business. Watch out for more information on Mahindra’s debut in MotoGP 2011!”
Mahindra embarked on its journey in 1945 by assembling the Willys Jeep in India and is now a US $7.1 billion Indian multinational.
Although they may have the financial backing, it is clear that they lack the technological know-how or racing experience professional motorcycle racing at the highest MotoGP level, yet along any level.