Mahindra off road vehicle Roxor to be launched in US in 2018

After several attempts to set its foot in the US of A with its existing range of vehicles, Mahindra & Mahindra will be launching the Roxor off-road vehicle in the US in 2018. The company also announced that Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA) has opened a new North American HQ and manufacturing operation, the first such new OEM facility in Southeast Michigan in over 25 years.

The Roxor, it is reliably learnt will be made using the expertise of Mahindras as well as its South Korean company SsangYong.

Incidentally, Mahindra was recently named as one of five vehicle manufacturers selected by the United State Postal Service (USPS) to produce prototype delivery trucks for testing and evaluation.  At the request of the USPS, details about the program will be available at a later date. 

The expansion is part of a $230 million investment in Southeast Michigan that also includes a recently-opened warehouse and logistics operation in Pontiac and an existing prototype operation in Troy. In total, Mahindra has grown to 400,000 sq. ft. across three Detroit area facilities. Over the past 18 months, MANA will have tripled its workforce to 250. By 2020, additional planned projects will result in 400 more jobs and another $600 million in local investment over that same period. In addition, MANA will continue to provide Metro Detroit-based engineering support for new vehicle platform development for India and global markets.

The new facility will produce an off-highway vehicle which will extend Mahindra’s current position in this growing segment. Designed and engineered by MANA, the vehicle promises to be unlike anything currently on the market.

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, Automotive Division EVP Rajan Wadhera and MANA President and CEO, Rick Haas participated in the facility inauguration along with Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley and Members of Congress Brenda Lawrence and Dave Trott. The event was also attended by elected officials, business leaders and Mahindra employees.

“This is an exciting day for Mahindra, our terrific employees and Detroit.  I couldn’t be prouder to be here to help open this new facility today,” said Anand Mahindra.  “This building opening represents our company’s growing presence in North America and locally in the Metro Detroit area where we have tripled our workforce during the past 18 months. We are committed to growing the Mahindra brand in North America and Michigan,” he added.