Mahindra Group's two-wheeler division inaugurated its recently installed Research & Development (R&D) centre in Pune, Maharashtra. Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra cut the ribbon of this third largest facility of its kind in the country. The new R&D centre of the company is recognised by the Department of Science and Industrial Research (DSIR). From its new unit, the manufacturer has come in a position from where it can design and develop new powertrains for its two-wheelers, within the company itself. The new centre is a perfect example of company's attempt to use advanced technology blended with innovation to emerge as one of the dominating player in the ultra competitive two-wheeler market of India.
At the inauguration ceremony, the company also pulled the sheets off from the two all-new powertrains, which were developed at the new facility. The first one has 110 cc at its disposal, while the latter is a futuristic 300 cc liquid-cooled unit.
Anand Mahindra said, “The new dedicated facility will enable us to harness the technology of the future to create tomorrow’s products. It will allow us to design in India, for the discerning Indian consumer. The Micro Hybrid technology developed for the new Duro DZ is a clear validation of the value it offers the business. In future, I am sure we will see this R&D facility emerge as a symbol of Indian ingenuity.”
As of now, the R&D centre employs services of more than 175 engineers and designers with two-wheeler experts. These experts are working on several projects related to technology and product development. The facility that has been set up with an investment of Rs. 100 crore has developed the new 'Z' series powertrain, which features in the new Duro DZ and the Rodeo RZ. The all new powertrain series come replete with a class-leading Dual Curve Digital Ignition (DCDI) technology and Mahindra's own fuel-level indication system.
The new facility incorporates a best-in-class design studio that allows the designers to create clay mock-ups of the future products to render visualisation. The facility also uses digital technology to better visualise the concepts. Mahindra 2 Wheelers’ new state-of-the-art R&D centre is located in Pune and will encourage a collaborative approach, permitting direct knowledge transfer between various teams. It promises to be a cradle of innovation for Mahindra 2 Wheelers, allowing it to indigenously develop pioneer products right from conception to mass production.
President, Mahindra 2 Wheeler, Anoop Mathur stated that the new facility will prove to be a two-edged sword in the arsenal of the company as it will facilitate the in-house development of new designs and will also reduce the product development cycle. He also announced that the division is gearing up to introduce three new bikes before the end of current fiscal.
However, the show-stopper of the event turned out to be the all-new start-stop Duro DZ scooter. The new vehicle is one of its kinds in the country being incorporated with Micro Hybrid technology, which suits urban driving conditions better. This new technology enhances the fuel efficiency by shutting down the powertrain at traffic signals and likes.
