Mahindra unveils new manufacturing, battery assembly facility

PUNE Pune: Automaker Mahindra on Wednesday unveiled its new manufacturing and battery assembly facility at its Chakan plant, a fully integrated ecosystem dedicated to the production of electric SUVs.To boost EV manufacturing, Mahindra has allocated Rs 4,500 crore out of a total Rs 16,000 crore planned in the F22-F27 investment cycle – for two product top hats and manufacturing capacity including powertrain development, software and technology.

The new EV manufacturing centre is a fully integrated, highly automated manufacturing ecosystem that leverages over 1,000 robots and multiple automated transfer systems, the company said.The EV facility also targets a 25 per cent gender diversity ratio, reinforcing the plant’s inclusive and future-ready work culture.

“Building on this foundation, Mahindra is now set to roll out the next-generation electric Origin SUV,” the automaker said in a statement. The facility has over 500 robots and fully automated transfer systems installed in the body shop, monitored by an IoT-based “nerve centre” to provide real-time process insights and end-to-end traceability.

The facility is located 2.83 km away from the company’s Chakan manufacturing hub – one of India’s largest greenfield projects, a water-positive facility – and is 100 per cent renewable energy dependent.According to company chairman Anand Mahindra, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) is the 11th most valuable automobile manufacturer in the world, surpassing several competitors and erstwhile technology partners.

On the EV business, he said it takes courage for a traditional SUV company to bet big on the future of electric vehicles in an uncertain world. “And it takes a deep commitment to innovation to incorporate cutting-edge technology, design and performance in vehicles that have unique offerings. I hope this will be an omen for the future of every company within the group,” Anand Mahindra said.