Next-gen Mahindra Thar-like vehicle confirmed for Australia
Speaking to Australian media in India last week, Velusamy R, the president of Automotive Technology and Product Development at Mahindra, stated that current local demand for the Thar is almost double the company's production capacity.
"Demand is now 12-13,000 per month in India, [but] our production is hardly 7-6000, roughly," Velusamy R said.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"We also thought [demand for] the three-door Thar might come down after introducing the five-door, however, it didn't come down. Still, there is enough market for three-door Thar, and the capacity for three-door is still fully occupied."
While he ruled out the current model for our market, Velusamy R confirmed that a new vehicle that will be very similar to the Mahindra Vision Thar.e concept (pictured here) unveiled in South Africa in August 2023 will be coming to Australia.
"The name can be different, but what you saw in South Africa, you will get it in Australia"
Although the Mahindra Vision Thar.e is a fully electric off-roader concept that looks nothing like the combustion-powered Thar revealed in 2020, the version heading to Australia will be available with internal combustion engines as standard, and potentially hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains as well. It is unclear whether a fully-electric version of the model will also head to our market, but it seems unlikely.
The current-generation Thar, which controversially resembles a Jeep Wrangler, has its origins in the original CJ-series Jeep, which the company had been producing under license since the 1940s.
The Stellantis group, which owns Jeep, has gone out of its way to stop Mahindra from bringing the current Thar to our market in the past.
Back in 2021, Mahindra was issued a "cease and desist" request from Stellantis following its plans to bring the Thar to Australia, with the American company stating that it would "pursue all available avenues to stop Mahindra from continuing to make misleading and deceptive representations in relation to our Jeep brand, pass off their Thar as a Jeep Wrangler and infringe our design rights".
Given that Mahindra says the concept is very close to what the production model will look like, the new model heading to Australia in the coming years will appear very different to the Wrangler, which means Stellantis won't have to worry about it offending the 724 Australians who bought a Wrangler in 2024.
MORE: Everything Mahindra
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
While Mahindra states that it cannot produce the current-generation Thar and Thar Roxx in sufficient numbers to meet demand in its domestic Indian market, let alone Australia, it has promised that a next-generation off-road vehicle like the Thar is in development for our market.
Speaking to Australian media in India last week, Velusamy R, the president of Automotive Technology and Product Development at Mahindra, stated that current local demand for the Thar is almost double the company's production capacity.
"Demand is now 12-13,000 per month in India, [but] our production is hardly 7-6000, roughly," Velusamy R said.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"We also thought [demand for] the three-door Thar might come down after introducing the five-door, however, it didn't come down. Still, there is enough market for three-door Thar, and the capacity for three-door is still fully occupied."
While he ruled out the current model for our market, Velusamy R confirmed that a new vehicle that will be very similar to the Mahindra Vision Thar.e concept (pictured here) unveiled in South Africa in August 2023 will be coming to Australia.
"The name can be different, but what you saw in South Africa, you will get it in Australia"
Although the Mahindra Vision Thar.e is a fully electric off-roader concept that looks nothing like the combustion-powered Thar revealed in 2020, the version heading to Australia will be available with internal combustion engines as standard, and potentially hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains as well. It is unclear whether a fully-electric version of the model will also head to our market, but it seems unlikely.
The current-generation Thar, which controversially resembles a Jeep Wrangler, has its origins in the original CJ-series Jeep, which the company had been producing under license since the 1940s.
The Stellantis group, which owns Jeep, has gone out of its way to stop Mahindra from bringing the current Thar to our market in the past.
Back in 2021, Mahindra was issued a "cease and desist" request from Stellantis following its plans to bring the Thar to Australia, with the American company stating that it would "pursue all available avenues to stop Mahindra from continuing to make misleading and deceptive representations in relation to our Jeep brand, pass off their Thar as a Jeep Wrangler and infringe our design rights".
Given that Mahindra says the concept is very close to what the production model will look like, the new model heading to Australia in the coming years will appear very different to the Wrangler, which means Stellantis won't have to worry about it offending the 724 Australians who bought a Wrangler in 2024.
MORE: Everything Mahindra
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
While Mahindra states that it cannot produce the current-generation Thar and Thar Roxx in sufficient numbers to meet demand in its domestic Indian market, let alone Australia, it has promised that a next-generation off-road vehicle like the Thar is in development for our market.
Speaking to Australian media in India last week, Velusamy R, the president of Automotive Technology and Product Development at Mahindra, stated that current local demand for the Thar is almost double the company's production capacity.
"Demand is now 12-13,000 per month in India, [but] our production is hardly 7-6000, roughly," Velusamy R said.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"We also thought [demand for] the three-door Thar might come down after introducing the five-door, however, it didn't come down. Still, there is enough market for three-door Thar, and the capacity for three-door is still fully occupied."
While he ruled out the current model for our market, Velusamy R confirmed that a new vehicle that will be very similar to the Mahindra Vision Thar.e concept (pictured here) unveiled in South Africa in August 2023 will be coming to Australia.
"The name can be different, but what you saw in South Africa, you will get it in Australia"
Although the Mahindra Vision Thar.e is a fully electric off-roader concept that looks nothing like the combustion-powered Thar revealed in 2020, the version heading to Australia will be available with internal combustion engines as standard, and potentially hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains as well. It is unclear whether a fully-electric version of the model will also head to our market, but it seems unlikely.
The current-generation Thar, which controversially resembles a Jeep Wrangler, has its origins in the original CJ-series Jeep, which the company had been producing under license since the 1940s.
The Stellantis group, which owns Jeep, has gone out of its way to stop Mahindra from bringing the current Thar to our market in the past.
Back in 2021, Mahindra was issued a "cease and desist" request from Stellantis following its plans to bring the Thar to Australia, with the American company stating that it would "pursue all available avenues to stop Mahindra from continuing to make misleading and deceptive representations in relation to our Jeep brand, pass off their Thar as a Jeep Wrangler and infringe our design rights".
Given that Mahindra says the concept is very close to what the production model will look like, the new model heading to Australia in the coming years will appear very different to the Wrangler, which means Stellantis won't have to worry about it offending the 724 Australians who bought a Wrangler in 2024.
MORE: Everything Mahindra
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
While Mahindra states that it cannot produce the current-generation Thar and Thar Roxx in sufficient numbers to meet demand in its domestic Indian market, let alone Australia, it has promised that a next-generation off-road vehicle like the Thar is in development for our market.
Speaking to Australian media in India last week, Velusamy R, the president of Automotive Technology and Product Development at Mahindra, stated that current local demand for the Thar is almost double the company's production capacity.
"Demand is now 12-13,000 per month in India, [but] our production is hardly 7-6000, roughly," Velusamy R said.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"We also thought [demand for] the three-door Thar might come down after introducing the five-door, however, it didn't come down. Still, there is enough market for three-door Thar, and the capacity for three-door is still fully occupied."
While he ruled out the current model for our market, Velusamy R confirmed that a new vehicle that will be very similar to the Mahindra Vision Thar.e concept (pictured here) unveiled in South Africa in August 2023 will be coming to Australia.
"The name can be different, but what you saw in South Africa, you will get it in Australia"
Although the Mahindra Vision Thar.e is a fully electric off-roader concept that looks nothing like the combustion-powered Thar revealed in 2020, the version heading to Australia will be available with internal combustion engines as standard, and potentially hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains as well. It is unclear whether a fully-electric version of the model will also head to our market, but it seems unlikely.
The current-generation Thar, which controversially resembles a Jeep Wrangler, has its origins in the original CJ-series Jeep, which the company had been producing under license since the 1940s.
The Stellantis group, which owns Jeep, has gone out of its way to stop Mahindra from bringing the current Thar to our market in the past.
Back in 2021, Mahindra was issued a "cease and desist" request from Stellantis following its plans to bring the Thar to Australia, with the American company stating that it would "pursue all available avenues to stop Mahindra from continuing to make misleading and deceptive representations in relation to our Jeep brand, pass off their Thar as a Jeep Wrangler and infringe our design rights".
Given that Mahindra says the concept is very close to what the production model will look like, the new model heading to Australia in the coming years will appear very different to the Wrangler, which means Stellantis won't have to worry about it offending the 724 Australians who bought a Wrangler in 2024.
MORE: Everything Mahindra
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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He joined Citroen in 1996 after graduating from the Art Centre College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland. He ascended through the ranks, working on both interior and exterior design, and managing the development of the first-generation Citroen C4 and C4 Picasso (above). Mr Vidal was appointed as the Peugeot's brand chief designer in 2010, where he helped to craft a sportier and more modern image for the marque. Highlights include the 2013 Peugeot 308, the second-generation 508 launched in 2018, and the 3008 revealed in 2016. He also oversaw the introduction of the iCockpit interior design theme, which blends aircraft inspiration with the company's latest infotainment systems. MORE: Everything Peugeot Content originally sourced from: After five years at rival Renault, Gilles Vidal will become head of design for European brands for Stellantis from October 1. There he will oversee the design of cars, SUVs and vans from Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat/Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia. He replaces his former boss Jean-Pierre Ploué, who will leave Stellantis. His return to Stellantis is the latest in a series of executive changes and appointment since Antonio Filosa took charge of the French-Italian-American automaker in late June. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Mr Vidal has been the Renault Group's head of design Gilles Vidal. During his relatively short tenure there he has overseen a number of key models and important changes. The Renault 5 EV concept, which debuted in 2021, was turned into the 2024 production model. This has been joined by the 4 E-Tech, another retro-flavoured all-electric model, and starting with the 2023 Rafale, a new design language has been rolled out across the Renault lineup. On top of this he also oversaw the introduction of a harder-edged style for Dacia, and the transformation of Alpine into a brand that also encompasses sporty electric SUVs. No interim or long-term successor has been named for Mr Vidal. His departure sees the French automaker thrown into more chaos. In June, CEO Luca de Meo suddenly quit to lead Kering, a luxury brand conglomerate that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and others. Renault has appointed chief financial officer Duncan Minto as interim boss, but a full-time replacement has yet to be found. Prior to leading the Renault Group's design operations, Mr Vidal had spent all of his working life at Group PSA, the then-parent of Peugeot and Citroen. He joined Citroen in 1996 after graduating from the Art Centre College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland. He ascended through the ranks, working on both interior and exterior design, and managing the development of the first-generation Citroen C4 and C4 Picasso (above). Mr Vidal was appointed as the Peugeot's brand chief designer in 2010, where he helped to craft a sportier and more modern image for the marque. Highlights include the 2013 Peugeot 308, the second-generation 508 launched in 2018, and the 3008 revealed in 2016. He also oversaw the introduction of the iCockpit interior design theme, which blends aircraft inspiration with the company's latest infotainment systems. MORE: Everything Peugeot Content originally sourced from: After five years at rival Renault, Gilles Vidal will become head of design for European brands for Stellantis from October 1. There he will oversee the design of cars, SUVs and vans from Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat/Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia. He replaces his former boss Jean-Pierre Ploué, who will leave Stellantis. His return to Stellantis is the latest in a series of executive changes and appointment since Antonio Filosa took charge of the French-Italian-American automaker in late June. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Mr Vidal has been the Renault Group's head of design Gilles Vidal. During his relatively short tenure there he has overseen a number of key models and important changes. The Renault 5 EV concept, which debuted in 2021, was turned into the 2024 production model. This has been joined by the 4 E-Tech, another retro-flavoured all-electric model, and starting with the 2023 Rafale, a new design language has been rolled out across the Renault lineup. On top of this he also oversaw the introduction of a harder-edged style for Dacia, and the transformation of Alpine into a brand that also encompasses sporty electric SUVs. No interim or long-term successor has been named for Mr Vidal. His departure sees the French automaker thrown into more chaos. In June, CEO Luca de Meo suddenly quit to lead Kering, a luxury brand conglomerate that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and others. Renault has appointed chief financial officer Duncan Minto as interim boss, but a full-time replacement has yet to be found. Prior to leading the Renault Group's design operations, Mr Vidal had spent all of his working life at Group PSA, the then-parent of Peugeot and Citroen. He joined Citroen in 1996 after graduating from the Art Centre College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland. He ascended through the ranks, working on both interior and exterior design, and managing the development of the first-generation Citroen C4 and C4 Picasso (above). Mr Vidal was appointed as the Peugeot's brand chief designer in 2010, where he helped to craft a sportier and more modern image for the marque. Highlights include the 2013 Peugeot 308, the second-generation 508 launched in 2018, and the 3008 revealed in 2016. He also oversaw the introduction of the iCockpit interior design theme, which blends aircraft inspiration with the company's latest infotainment systems. MORE: Everything Peugeot Content originally sourced from: After five years at rival Renault, Gilles Vidal will become head of design for European brands for Stellantis from October 1. There he will oversee the design of cars, SUVs and vans from Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat/Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia. He replaces his former boss Jean-Pierre Ploué, who will leave Stellantis. His return to Stellantis is the latest in a series of executive changes and appointment since Antonio Filosa took charge of the French-Italian-American automaker in late June. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Mr Vidal has been the Renault Group's head of design Gilles Vidal. During his relatively short tenure there he has overseen a number of key models and important changes. The Renault 5 EV concept, which debuted in 2021, was turned into the 2024 production model. This has been joined by the 4 E-Tech, another retro-flavoured all-electric model, and starting with the 2023 Rafale, a new design language has been rolled out across the Renault lineup. On top of this he also oversaw the introduction of a harder-edged style for Dacia, and the transformation of Alpine into a brand that also encompasses sporty electric SUVs. No interim or long-term successor has been named for Mr Vidal. His departure sees the French automaker thrown into more chaos. In June, CEO Luca de Meo suddenly quit to lead Kering, a luxury brand conglomerate that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and others. Renault has appointed chief financial officer Duncan Minto as interim boss, but a full-time replacement has yet to be found. Prior to leading the Renault Group's design operations, Mr Vidal had spent all of his working life at Group PSA, the then-parent of Peugeot and Citroen. He joined Citroen in 1996 after graduating from the Art Centre College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland. He ascended through the ranks, working on both interior and exterior design, and managing the development of the first-generation Citroen C4 and C4 Picasso (above). Mr Vidal was appointed as the Peugeot's brand chief designer in 2010, where he helped to craft a sportier and more modern image for the marque. Highlights include the 2013 Peugeot 308, the second-generation 508 launched in 2018, and the 3008 revealed in 2016. He also oversaw the introduction of the iCockpit interior design theme, which blends aircraft inspiration with the company's latest infotainment systems. MORE: Everything Peugeot Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
28-07-2025
- 7NEWS
Peugeot and Fiat parent steal design boss back from Renault
After five years at rival Renault, Gilles Vidal will become head of design for European brands for Stellantis from October 1. There he will oversee the design of cars, SUVs and vans from Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat/Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia. He replaces his former boss Jean-Pierre Ploué, who will leave Stellantis. His return to Stellantis is the latest in a series of executive changes and appointment since Antonio Filosa took charge of the French-Italian-American automaker in late June. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Mr Vidal has been the Renault Group's head of design Gilles Vidal. During his relatively short tenure there he has overseen a number of key models and important changes. The Renault 5 EV concept, which debuted in 2021, was turned into the 2024 production model. This has been joined by the 4 E-Tech, another retro-flavoured all-electric model, and starting with the 2023 Rafale, a new design language has been rolled out across the Renault lineup. On top of this he also oversaw the introduction of a harder-edged style for Dacia, and the transformation of Alpine into a brand that also encompasses sporty electric SUVs. No interim or long-term successor has been named for Mr Vidal. His departure sees the French automaker thrown into more chaos. In June, CEO Luca de Meo suddenly quit to lead Kering, a luxury brand conglomerate that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and others. Renault has appointed chief financial officer Duncan Minto as interim boss, but a full-time replacement has yet to be found. Prior to leading the Renault Group's design operations, Mr Vidal had spent all of his working life at Group PSA, the then-parent of Peugeot and Citroen. He joined Citroen in 1996 after graduating from the Art Centre College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland. He ascended through the ranks, working on both interior and exterior design, and managing the development of the first-generation Citroen C4 and C4 Picasso (above). Mr Vidal was appointed as the Peugeot's brand chief designer in 2010, where he helped to craft a sportier and more modern image for the marque. Highlights include the 2013 Peugeot 308, the second-generation 508 launched in 2018, and the 3008 revealed in 2016. He also oversaw the introduction of the iCockpit interior design theme, which blends aircraft inspiration with the company's latest infotainment systems.
