Mahindra Two-Wheelers, a completely owned subsidiary of USD 15.4 billion Mahindra Group, opened the doors of its new Research and Development facility in Pune on 4th July 2012. The new facility was inaugurated by Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra. Mahindra two-wheelers’ new R&D centre is recognised by the Department of Science and Industrial Research (DSIR) and is considered as the third largest facility in the country of its kind.
With the launch of its new unit, the auto maker will embark on its in-house designing methodologies and will also work upon the development of new engines, dedicated to motorcycles. Besides, the company showcased its two new engines which were developed at the same unit. Among the two, the first one had a displacement of 110 cc, whereas the other one was a cutting-edge liquid cooled engine with a displacement of 300 cc.
Mentioning the significance of company’s new unit, Anand Mahindra quoted, “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.”
The advanced R&D centre of auto maker employs more than 175 engineers and designers and is worth of around Rs. 100 crores investment. The division also has two-wheeler experts who are heading a number of product and technology development projects. One of the fine products introduced by Mahindra’s new facility includes the recently launched Rodeo RZ and new Duro DZ, which are both assimilated with an all-new ‘Z’ series engine. The new engine series is coupled with pioneering Dual Curve Digital Ignition (DCDI) technology and a patented fuel level indication system.
Anoop Mathur, President, Two-Wheeler Sector, said, “The Mahindra Two Wheelers R&D Centre will provide us with the dual benefits of indigenous design at lower costs and shortened product development lifecycles. These two tangible benefits, when coupled with a considerably shortened go-to-market strategy with newer and more technologically superior products, augurs well for the future of the business. I am also happy to announce that Mahindra Two Wheelers is set to launch three new motorcycles in this financial year. We are committed to our customers and will go to any length to ensure that they get truly world-class products, at competitive price points to drive on Indian roads.”
In the limelight of Mahindra’s new R&D centre, the company also launched its all-new start–stop Duro DZ, which is currently the country’s first scooter incorporated with Micro Hybrid technology. The new scooter from Mahindra’s stable is said to be an ideal mode of transport in urban areas. Micro Hybrid technology helps the vehicle save fuel in idle position, such as at traffic signals.
Addressing the direct and indirect advantages of new R&D facility, Head, Research and Development, Mahindra Two Wheelers, PS Ashok said, “This multi-faceted R&D facility boasts of truly advanced facilities in the two wheeler industry in India including a Design Studio, Prototyping Centre, Engine Development Centre (EDC), CAE/CFD facility, Fatigue Test and Reliability Lab, and an Electrical and Electronics Lab, amongst others. The centre will develop prototypes and components from design through to production, which will then be transferred to the company’s brand new production lines at Mahindra Two Wheelers’ Pithampur plant.”
Since the new state-of-the-art unit of auto maker is located in Pune, it is likely to promote a collaborative approach, which will distribute direct knowledge among various teams. Mahindra assures that its new facility dedicated to two-wheeler division will enable the corporation develop and offer industry-leading products.
The new R&D centre also houses an advanced design studio, which is exclusively developed for rendering services like visualization, clay mockup and digitization of new products. Facility is well-equipped with sophisticated software and hardware, which will assist the car maker in developing innovative vehicle design. Besides, the engine development and testing centre will look upon issues regarding company’s powertrains. The facility will facilitate the division to design, alter, develop, calibrate and evaluate existing as well as new motors. All the abovementioned characteristics are based on parameters like performance, durability, reliability, legislative and customer requirements.
With CAE /CFD facilities, Mahindra two-wheelers will expand it potential to work on the practical road conditions through various world-class simulation tools and techniques. CAE stands for Computer Aided Engineering, whereas Computational Fluid Dynamics is abbreviated as CFD. Incorporation of these facilities will perform as a significant factor for ‘First Time Right Design’ policy, adopted by Mahindra Two-Wheelers.
