Mahindra inaugurates new assembly plant in South Africa
This is Mahindra's second assembly facility in South Africa as it aims to capitalise on the booming demand for budget vehicles in the market.
Mahindra's New Assembly Plant In South Africa
The new Mahindra Durban facility can assemble over 1,000 single- and double-cab Pik Ups per month. The automaker says it will be able to scale up production as demand increases. The facility also offers the flexibility to accommodate new models, as and when the brand plans to introduce them in the coming years. The automaker's global engineering teams are working with local suppliers to increase the level of locally sourced components.
Also Read : Mahindra charts new high, becomes fastest-growing car brand in South Africa
This is Mahindra's second vehicle assembly plant in South Africa, and the company is looking to increase localisation by working with local suppliers
Speaking about the new facility, Rajesh Gupta, CEO - Mahindra South Africa, said, 'Our original facility played a pivotal role in establishing our local footprint. As demand for our locally assembled Pik Up range continued to rise, we needed a facility with the scale, flexibility, and technology to meet future growth while maintaining world-class quality. This investment underscores our confidence in South Africa as both a manufacturing base and a key growth market for Mahindra globally. It reflects our commitment to creating jobs, supporting local industry, and delivering robust, reliable vehicles that meet the needs of South African customers."
Mahindra began assembling pick-ups in South Africa in 2018, and is one of the top three fast-growing brands in South Africa in the seven years since opening the plant. The South African market is seeing a strong demand for budget vehicles, and the automaker plans to capitalise on the surge by introducing more models, including the Bolero and Veero pick-ups.
Mahindra's Durban plant is the brand's biggest outside of India, and the locally assembled pick-ups have become popular with local farmers. The pick-ups also serve in the Mozambique police force. Apart from the pick-ups, Mahindra also retails its SUVs in the market, including the XUV700, Scorpion N, and XUV 3XO.
Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2025, Best SUVs in India.
First Published Date:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
21 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
India gets relief as China removes export restrictions on rare earth magnets
After months of speculation, Beijing has withdrawn its export restriction on rare earth magnets to India. The move is some respite for automakers and component makers, especially those engaged in electric vehicle (EV) projects, who were in the hot seat due to the supply chain squeeze. Personalised Offers on Mahindra BE 6 Check Offers Check Offers India depends on China for over 80 per cent of its magnet imports (Photo is representational)(AP File) Why rare earths matter Rare earth magnets may not sound like the backbone of the auto sector, but they quietly are. From electric traction motors to power steering, sensors and infotainment units, they are ubiquitous in a contemporary vehicle. EVs specifically depend on motor-grade magnets to drive production lines forward. (Also read: Tata Motors faces no production impact of rare earth magnet crisis, Q1 FY26 profit tanks 63%: CFO PB Balaji) China's dominance in this space has been well known, it accounts for the lion's share of global supply. That is why when Beijing imposed restrictions, Indian manufacturers had little choice but to either pay more for limited stock or explore alternative sources in markets like Japan and Australia. The impact of the clampdown The curbs, though in place for only a few months, left a mark on the industry. Automakers working on new EV launches saw delays creeping in as suppliers struggled to secure enough material. Some dipped into stockpiles, but those reserves were thin. Alternatives from outside China were available, but at a steep cost. For many companies, the episode was a wake-up call that India's electrification roadmap could be derailed by external shocks. (Also read: India's Bajaj Auto flags lower-than-planned EV output on rare earth magnet crunch) What changes now With the ban lifted, sourcing is expected to stabilise and costs may begin to cool in the coming quarters. For EV makers in particular, the move translates into fewer bottlenecks in the supply of motors and related components. However, the larger issue has not gone away. The dependence on a single nation for a key input makes the auto industry of India vulnerable to subsequent disruptions. Relief with a warning The resumption of Chinese exports has relieved near-term anxiety, but the incident served as a wake-up call. Resilience will take more than praying for steady flows of trade. Pundits say that India now needs to ramp up processing of rare earths and diversify supply streams. Automakers' message is unequivocal, relief now is a good thing, but long-term stability will come only from breaking dependence on Beijing.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Mahindra BE 6 Batman Edition vs Tata Harrier EV Stealth Edition
The electric SUV space is heating up, and two of the most anticipated upcoming launches are playing to exclusivity. Mahindra recently launched the BE 6 Batman Edition, and Tata Motors launched the Harrier EV Stealth Edition. Both are not only EVs but also limited-edition offerings that will be sought after for being different on Indian roads. With bold styling, distinctive features, and future-generation EV platforms, these SUVs are being marketed to attract early movers who desire something beyond a battery-powered vehicle for commuting. The Mahindra BE 6 Batman Edition starts at rs 27.9 lakh, ex-showroom and is limited to 300 units while the Tata Harrier EV Stealth Edition which is limited to 1500 units starts at ₹ 28.24 lakh, ex-showroom. Also Read : From utility to aspiration: How design transformed Mahindra's SUV identity Mahindra BE 6 Batman Edition vs Tata Harrier EV Stealth Edition: Design The BE 6 Batman Edition is striking in satin black, decorated with alchemy-gold suspension hardware, 20-inch Batman-logo'd alloy wheels, and several Bat symbols on the body—doors, roof, hubcaps, and so on. Inside, subtle luxe reigns with suede-leather seats, gold-sepia stitching, a brushed-gold dashboard plaque with serial numbering, and even Bat-themed projection lamps on door opening, every detail aimed at fans of Gotham's Dark Knight. Also check these Cars Find more Cars Mahindra BE 6 79 kWh 79 kWh 682 km 682 km ₹ 18.90 Lakhs Compare View Offers UPCOMING Mahindra BE 07 80 kWh 80 kWh 450 km 450 km ₹ 25 - 30 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched UPCOMING Mahindra XUV500 2025 2179 cc 2179 cc Diesel Diesel ₹ 12 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched UPCOMING Mahindra BE.05 80.0 kWh 80.0 kWh 450 km 450 km ₹ 12 - 16 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched Mahindra XUV 400 EV 39.4 kWh 39.4 kWh 456 km 456 km ₹ 15.49 Lakhs Compare View Offers UPCOMING Mahindra e20 NXT 15 kWh 15 kWh 140 km 140 km ₹ 6 - 8 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched In contrast, the Harrier EV Stealth Edition takes the minimalist route. Its matte Stealth Black finish, gloss-black 19-inch wheels, and fully blacked-out cabin with carbon-noir trim quietly signal exclusivity. No graphics, no badges, no theatrics. Mahindra BE 6 Batman Edition vs Tata Harrier EV Stealth Edition: Features Mahindra retains the full feature set of the BE 6 Pack Three—dual 12.3-inch screens, ADAS, ambient lighting, wireless charger, premium audio, sunroof, and connected car tech—on top of which sit bespoke Batman touches like a custom startup animation and 'Boost" sound mode. Tata's Stealth Edition brings all the bells from the Empowered variant: a 14.5-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital driver display, panoramic sunroof, high-end JBL sound, ventilated seats, dual-zone AC, ambient lighting, and advanced safety features including ADAS and V2L/V2V. Mahindra BE 6 Batman Edition vs Tata Harrier EV Stealth Edition: Specifications The BE 6 Batman Edition is mechanically identical to the Pack Three model: a 79 kWh battery, rear-motor delivering 286 PS and 380 Nm, and a claimed range of 682 km (ARAI). The Harrier EV Stealth sits on the 75 kWh pack and comes in both RWD and AWD trims. The AWD variant brings up to 390 PS and 504 Nm, and a 627 km range (MIDC). Charging support includes 120 kW DC fast charging plus flexible AC configurations. Mahindra BE 6 Batman Edition vs Tata Harrier EV Stealth Edition: Price The BE 6 Batman Edition is set at ₹27.79 lakh (ex-showroom), limited to just 300 units globally. Bookings start August 23, deliveries align with International Batman Day, September 20. The Harrier EV Stealth Edition kicks off at ₹28.24 lakh for the RWD variant, climbing to ₹29.74 lakh for the QWD AWD, and ₹30.23 lakh for the ACFC-equipped QWD. Each variant carries a ₹75,000 premium over the standard Empowered trims. The Harrier EV Stealth Edition is limited to 1500 units. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India. First Published Date:
First Post
5 hours ago
- First Post
South Africa: Ramaphosa to Offer New Trade Deal to Trump to Avoid US Tariffs Firstpost Africa
South Africa: Ramaphosa to Offer New Trade Deal to Trump to Avoid US Tariffs | Firstpost Africa|N18G South Africa's government has said that it will offer a new trade deal to US President Donald Trump to avoid a 30% tariff on its exports, the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. The tariffs, which threaten an estimated 30,000 jobs in a country with an unemployment rate over 33%, are not solely a trade issue. The Trump administration's grievances extend to South Africa's domestic policies, such as the Land Expropriation Act and the Black Economic Empowerment Act, which are designed to address historical racial inequalities. The US is also concerned with South Africa's international relations, including its BRICS membership and its genocide case against Israel. While the Ramaphosa government is attempting to appease the US with a new trade offer, including increased imports of American goods, the Democratic Alliance, a key party in the South African coalition government, believes the tariffs will remain until the government revises its domestic racial policies. The African National Congress, however, is unlikely to make such changes, as its political identity is rooted in ending the racist white minority rule of the past. See More
