India’s largest Utility Vehicle (UV) maker, Mahindra & Mahindra, which has already outpaced Tata Motors in the Indian passenger car market, is now looking ahead to beat the same in Sri Lanka in a couple of years. The difference between the sales of both the auto majors in Sri Lanka has a gap of few thousands and thus, the Mahindra seems set to ladder down the South Asia’s largest automotive company there.
Stating his views on the same, Vice-President of Mahindra & Mahindra, International Operations for Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors, Pradeep Kumar quoted, “We hope that in the next two years, we become No 1 in auto (segment) in Sri Lanka. We should be able to overtake them (Tata Motors) in a few years time.”
Mahindra considers Sri Lanka as its largest market for exports and in the island country, the auto giant delivered 11,000 units during last fiscal. The auto maker has planned to sell around 15,000 units in Sri Lanka by the end of this fiscal in its zeal to beat Tata Motors and capture the dominant position in the country.
On this, the Chief Executive of Mahindra & Mahindra, International Operations for Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors, M Ruzbeh Irani commented, “In 2010 fiscal, we sold 500 vehicles and last year, we sold 11,000 vehicles. This is the kind of growth, we have been getting from the market there. This year, we are gunning for 15,000 automobiles till March.”
On the other hand, the largest Commercial Vehicle (CV) maker of the country, Tata Motors, said that it is quite happy with the success of its country cousin and at the same time, it is little sad and ashamed that Mahindra outpaced it in the domestic passenger car market. The company further added that the total auto market of Sri Lanka is worth around 35,000 units.
No matter whichever auto maker retains the numero uno position in Sri Lanka, the fact lies in the statement that the top position of auto segment in Sri Lankan auto industry will be enjoyed by an Indian auto company.
