M&M’s new life after Scorpio

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">The country’s oldest surviving jeep maker Mahindra and Mahindra is all set to sting competition. After completing the dream project Scorpio, M&M V-C and MD <span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Anand Mahindra</span> spoke to <span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Byas Anand</span> about the road ahead.<br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Why did you take five years for building the Scorpio?</span><br />The project was conceptualised five years ago and an integrated design and manufacturing team was set up.It started as a pilot project and the idea was to develop a larger people carrier. <br />First feedback came from the market after 18 months. And, the results showed a clear consumer preference for SUVs. So, we ideally took a little over 3 years for building the vehicle and the one which had to be developed from ground zero. <br />It’s a totally new platform and a new powertrain. Three years is decent for this project.<br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Any plans to get back into passenger car ?</span><br />Passenger car making is a different ballgame altogether. It involves shorter product life cycles and greater competition. Project Scorpio, an entry into car-making, was also a giant leap for us. <br />So, we decided to stick to our core competitiveness of making utility vehicles. We already have a small equity presence in Ford India and that will remain our car-making venture.<br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What happened to plans to join hands with Ford for marketing Scorpio abroad?</span><br />Ford is quite aware of the developments with Scorpio and they are keen to explore the possibility of marketing this vehicle abroad. <br />It is yet to be seen whether the vehicle would be sold under the Ford umbrella or the Mahindra brand. They were waiting to see the Scorpio in flesh and blood. Now it’s ready and we will recommence talks with Ford.<br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Is the company’s future riding on Scorpio?</span><br />Not in a narrow financial sense. Though Scorpio will take time to build volumes, it has a comfortable short breakeven period. Besides, we have several other products in the pipeline. Scorpio will set higher standards of customer expectations. </div> </div>