Mahindra Group Chairman Anand MahindraImage Credit source: File Photo

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has completed 68 years of life today. He has the command of Rs 1.55 lakh crore Mahindra Group. This group is active in 22 sectors like automobile, information technology and real estate. Born on May 1, 1955, Anand Mahindra has seen many ups and downs in his life. Mahindra Auto Talking about the company, the company has achieved great success under the leadership of Anand Mahindra. Mahindra & Mahindra entered the auto sector with Jeep during the Second World War, but the real identity came from the Bolero.

Anand Mahindra started his career in Mahindra Eugene Steel Company Limited as Executive Director (Finance). After eight years, he was promoted and reached the post of President and Deputy Managing Director. However, Mahindra was active in the auto sector since independence. In 1991, Anand became the deputy managing director of Mahindra & Mahindra Limited.

joined hands with Ford

Anand Mahindra had to face a lot of difficulties in the initial phase of the auto industry. He launched the Escort car with the American auto company Ford. However, this move did not live up to the expectations of Mahindra. After this he played a big bet and launched the Bolero SUV in India in 2000.

The Mahindra Bolero launched in 2000 (Credit: Mahindra)

Luck shines with Bolero-Scorpio

Working on the Bolero SUV was not easy. However, Mahindra got a big benefit from this and Scorpio has been launched only after two years. The launch of Scorpio in 2002 changed the fortunes of Mahindra. This was a time where it was a very difficult step for an Indian company to launch a homegrown car in the SUV segment.

Mahindra Scorpio launched in 2002. (Credit: Mahindra)

Anand Mahindra has bet on Bolero and Scorpio, leaving behind Ford’s failure. Mahindra launched Scorpio in the market with a production cost of Rs 550 crore. This was one-tenth of what other auto manufacturers cost at the time. Both these cars created a stir in the Indian SUV segment.

Mahindra became the king of SUV cars

The success of Bolero and Scorpio made Mahindra the king of SUV cars. This is the reason why even today Mahindra is known as the Indian SUV specialist company. These cars were in demand not only in India but also in European and African countries. At present, apart from Bolero and Scorpio, the company also sells SUVs like XUV700, Thar, XUV3o0, XUV400 EV.

The scope of Mahindra Auto is not limited to SUV cars only. Under the leadership of Anand Mahindra, the company has also earned a name in different segments like tractors, racing cars, bikes, scooters, trucks, buses. Mahindra also entered the electric car segment in 2010 by buying REVAi Electric Car Company. Anand Mahindra is carrying forward the seven decade old legacy of Mahindra Group today.