Reva to launch electric vehicle on M&M platform

Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle onWednesday said it will introduce a new electric vehicle in the next 18 monthsbased on a model from parent group Mahindra & Mahindra's existingportfolio.

"In the next 18 months, we will launch an M&M productwith electric vehicle technology in India,"Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle Chief of Technology and Strategy Chetan Mainitold reporters on the sidelines of the Society of Indian AutomobileManufacturers' (SIAM)annual summit.

The company has already fitted the technology in M&M 'svehicles and it is currently being tested, he added.

Maini, however, declined to name the Mahindra vehicle inwhich the electric technology will be introduced for commercial sale.

M&M had earlier announced plans to roll out its flagshipsports utility vehicle, 'Scorpio', with an electric fuel option and graduallyintroduce it in other models as well.

In 2010, M&M had acquired majority stake in Reva.

When asked about Reva's dealership network, Maini said:"We will gradually introduce a Reva electric car in all Mahindra outlets.Our plan is to have 50 outlets by end of this year and go up to 100 showroomsby the end of next year."

The company currently sells the Reva car through 24 Mahindrashowrooms and two of Reva's own outlets. Maini also said the company is evaluating the possibility ofoverseas distribution of its vehicles through M&M dealerships abroad.

He said the company will introduce its 'NXR' model next yearand is also looking to roll-out the 'NXD' model. The company is currently expanding its production capacityfrom 3,000 units to 30,000 units with the opening of a second productionfacility in Bangalore.