Mahindra’s Born EVs To Use Components From Volkswagen’s MEB EV Platform

• Mahindra joins hands with VW for evaluating Born EV components supply.
• Partnership was signed on May 18 in Chennai.
• Binding supply contract will be signed by the end of 2022 if things go well.
• Main advantage for Mahindra will be cost effectiveness as it doesn’t need to develop these from scratch.
• Born range of EVs will debut in concept form in July in the UK.

Big news coming from Chennai today. Volkswagen and Mahindra have joined hands to evaluate VW Group’s MEB components for the upcoming Born range of electric vehicles. The partnership was signed on May 18 to evaluate the scope of this latest tie up. Post which, Mahindra will form a binding supply contract, which will be signed by the end of 2022 if things go well. 

Mahindra says it intends to equip its upcoming Born range of EVs with Volkswagen components such as electric motors, battery cells, and battery system components. For those of you unaware, the MEB is an open vehicle platform, where other manufacturers can use specific components like the ones mentioned above in their vehicles. Ford is another example where Volkswagen supplies its MEB platform. 

The main advantage for Mahindra would be cost effectiveness as the SUV manufacturer doesn’t need to invest in developing this technology, which is the most expensive bit in an electric car. Secondly, if things go well that is, and if Volkswagen decides to manufacture these locally in the future, it could bring the costs down significantly. 

Commenting on the latest development, Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director, Auto and Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., stated: “We are very pleased to have Volkswagen, a significant global investor in the electric mobility space, as a strategic partner in achieving our ambitious Born Electric Vision. The complementarity of their extensive technology, innovation, and vertical integration in supply chains will provide a framework to develop our next gen “Born Electric Platform”, to be revealed soon in Oxfordshire UK.

Also Read: A Sneak Peek At The Base Variant Of The 2022 Mahindra Scorpio

And here’s what Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board of Management member for Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components, had to say, “Mahindra is a pioneer in the electric mobility space in India and a great partner for our MEB Electric Platform. Together with Mahindra, we want to contribute significantly to the electrification of India, a huge automotive market with enormous growth potential and high relevance for climate protection. It’s another proof point that the MEB is both technologically state of the art and highly competitive in terms of cost."

Mahindra will take the wraps off its Born range of EVs in July and it will be built on a dedicated EV platform. The first of these EVs is expected to get into production in 2025. You can read more about Mahindra’s Born EVs here.