Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd has gained significant market share in the pickup vehicle segment, which is now growing at about 20 per cent.
This is a silver lining for the market as the country’s passenger car market is up against tough times with sales volumes being impacted.
“We have increased the share from about 54 per cent to about 59-60 per cent in the first half of this financial year ended September 30, 2013 and expect to sustain this momentum during the second half,” Mahesh Kulkarni, Senior General Manager, M&M, said.
The country’s pickup market closed last financial year with overall sales of about 2 lakh. It is growing at 20 per cent mainly due to demand from the farm sector and some other segments such as construction. Farmers in particular move their produce to urban areas.
“Of this, we accounted for 1.03 lakh last fiscal. During the year so far, we have gained more than 5 per cent market share with sales of 55,000 in the first half,” he said.
ZAHEERABAD PLANT
The automotive major has launched the Bolero pickup flat bed with micro-hybrid technology in the southern market here today priced at Rs 5.56 lakh onwards ex-showroom. The pickup will be manufactured at plants in Kandivali in Maharashtra and Zaheerabad in Andhra Pradesh.
With the South accounting for about 26 per cent of overall pickup sales, the company expects to serve the region from Zaheerabad plant where it recently commenced production of the pickup.
Powered by the micro-hybrid engine that helps save on fuel in start-stop conditions, the company is seeking to drive home the fuel efficiency and overall lower maintenance cost as an attractive proposition for the potential buyer. It expects the festive season and post-monsoon season demand to boost its volumes. In a phased manner, the company expects to offer it across the country.
The company had recently expanded its overall pickup manufacturing capacity to 1.3 lakh vehicles a year.