Mahindra on it's eco-friendly path acquires REVA

Melting ice caps, increasing carbon footprint, global warming ' these are terms that you guys would be hearing all that often now. Thanks to green-mentalists, automotive companies are forced to find alternative solutions to keep the motoring industry alive. There are things like electric propulsion, fuel-cells, bio-fuels, compressed air, CNG and a bunch of other things like vegetable oil etc. And electric propulsion is looked at as the most logical answer, in the current scenario.

I have reservations towards electric cars, but that is a topic of debate for another day. As things stand, more and more companies are indulging into coming out with electricity powered vehicles in a bid to make the air cleaner.

Dr Pawan Goenka will be the chairman of the new unit and the board will include five nominees from Mahindra & Mahindra, two from the Maini family, and one from AEV LLC, California (co-founders of REVA). An independent director will be added to the board subsequently. Mr. Chetan Maini will continue to play a leading role in Mahindra REVA as Chief of Technology & Strategy and will continue to be on the board.

Speaking on the acquisition, Mr Anand Mahindra, VC&MD, Mahindra & Mahindra said, "With issues such as climate change and carbon footprint taking centre stage globally, eco-friendly transportation becomes the need of the hour. Mahindra already has an established sustainable mobility solutions programme and our association with REVA will only help us further expand our green footprint both in India and overseas".

Dr Pawan Goenka, President (Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors), Mahindra & Mahindra and the newly elected Chairman of Mahindra REVA said, "This is a key strategic acquisition for Mahindra in its march towards sustainable mobility. Mahindra and REVA bring together complementary strengths. With Mahindra's vehicle engineering expertise, global distribution network, sourcing clout and financing support, REVA's vehicles have the potential to significantly gain in market penetration. Mahindra will also benefit from REVA's EV technology for its own products."

Mr Chetan Maini, Chief of Technology & Strategy, of the newly formed Mahindra REVA mentioned, "The EV market is poised to grow significantly and we concluded that in order to seize the opportunity we needed the resources and experience of a major automotive manufacturer. In Mahindra we have found a company that not only shares our vision of principled and sustainable growth but one that also has a reputation for good corporate governance. As a result of Mahindra's investment, Mahindra REVA will be able to scale, innovate and accelerate and so to deliver better products to more customers in more places".