Manu P Toms, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, March 21, 2011
Mahindra & Mahindra’s acquisition of Korean SUV maker SsangYong will strengthen its electric and hybrid vehicle projects. Both Mahindra and SsangYong have been planning joint product development in the area of alternative fuel technology. ‘‘We have formed two technical teams to align the resear ch and development of both Mahindra & Mahindra and SsangYong in electric vehicle and hybrid technology,’’ Pawan Goenka, president automotive and farm equipment sector, M&M told HT.
SsangYong announced an electric version of its crossover Korando and a hybrid compact SUV at the Geneva Motor Show. ‘‘Just as SsangYong has its own hybrid and electric projects, Mahindra too has made some progress in this field. Mahindra Reva is coming out with a four-seater electric car NXR. Mahindra is developing a hybrid Scorpio,’’ said Goenka.
SsangYong has claimed that its pure electric drive system, run on a high voltage lithium battery pack, will offer a speed up to 150 km per hour and a drive range of 180 km. The company said this would be first seen on the crossover Korando.
SsangYong’s hybrid technology will have a short distance drive up to 60 kms under battery power and a back-up of internal combustion engine for the longer drive. A five-seater vehicle, slightly smaller than Korando, will come with this drive system.
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