Mahindra takes covers off Vision Thar.e, Global Pik Up

Mahindra Electric Automobiles Ltd, the EV subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, on Tuesday unveiled the Vision Thar.e in Cape Town, South Africa.

The automaker claims the Thar.e is more than an electric evolution of its popular off-roader Thar.

"Aligned with the global movement towards responsible consumption, our focus on sustainable materials resonates with the broader shift towards being planet positive, ensuring that Thar.e is both timeless and timely," says Veejay Nakra, president, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra.

The Thar.e's comes with features like near-vertical windows that maximise space and create a commanding presence, the automaker says. Fabrics in the EV will be made of 50% recycled PET.

"We have maintained the adventurous spirit and off-roading capability that is quintessentially Thar, but we have crafted a unique identity in the world of electric SUVs," says Pratap Bose, chief design officer, Mahindra & Mahindra.

Mahindra also unveiled its global pickup concept for international markets. The company showcased its new Global Pik Up concept at its Futurescape event in Cape Town.

Based on the new generation ladder frame platform, the automaker claims its Global Pik Up promises to be one of the market's most versatile pickups when it goes into production.

The new Global Pik Up marks a significant step in Mahindra's Go-Global Strategy, says Nakra. "Our move with the Global Pik Up is poised to not only reinforce our presence in existing markets like South Africa and Australia but also pave the way to new frontiers," Nakra adds.

The pickup vehicle will come equipped with Level-2 ADAS, Trailer Sway Mitigation, All-Around Airbag Protection, Drowsy Driver Detection, and 5G Connectivity, among others.

From daily commuting to adventure trips, the Global Pik Up concept has been developed to match varied lifestyle requirements; the experience is further enhanced with drive modes, an immersive audio experience, semi-automatic parking, a sunroof, and more, the carmaker says.

Mahindra Tractors, the Anand Mahindra-led group's tractor unit, too launched a new range of tractors – the Mahindra OJA. OJA is Mahindra's most ambitious global lightweight tractor platform, the company says.

Developed in collaboration between the engineering teams of Mahindra Research Valley, India, the R&D centre for Mahindra AFS and Mitsubishi Mahindra Agriculture Machinery, Japan, at an investment of ₹1,200 crore, the new OJA range brings about a transformative shift in Light Weight 4WD Tractor design and engineering, it says.

Mahindra unveiled new tractors on 3 OJA platforms – the Sub Compact, Compact and Small Utility platforms. With 4WD as standard, Mahindra launched 7 new tractor models for the Indian market on the Compact and Small Utility platforms. These models range from 20HP – 40HP (14.91kW – 29.82kW), for a wide array of applications.

After India, the OJA range will subsequently be launched in North America, ASEAN, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Europe and the SAARC region. Mahindra will also mark its debut in the ASEAN region starting with Thailand in 2024.