Mahindra to set up in UK?
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• Malindra importer UK 4x4 plans to start assembling the Indian-built off-roaders in either Britain or the Republic of Ireland.
Initial output will be around 1,000 units a year, says managing director John Amer, and could start in 1994. An independent consultant is looking at possible production sites in Wales, Tyneside, Northern Ireland and Eire; it is due to report back in two weeks' time.
Mahindra is prepared to sanction local assembly because currency problems have made importing some components into India difficult, says Amer. It plans to ship the basic chassis and body to Britain in kit form and leave it to UK 4x4 to fit glass, lights, tyres, wheels and some trim items.
These will all be sourced from Britain or the Continent and a 1.9
litre Peugeot XUD diesel engine supplied from France will he fitted. At present Mahindra uses Peugeot's ageing XD 2.1-litre diesel which is made in India under licence.
Initially around 75% of output will be right-hand drive, says Amer, with left-hand-drive output increasing if European demand rises. "We'll certainly be exporting to Western Europe and possibly to the CIS too", he says, "and Mahindra is giving us free rein on any changes we want to make to suit European markets."
CKD assembly already takes place in Greece, but this is to be wound down. UK 4x4 will initially produce the CJ3, which bears some resemblance to the World War Two Jeep, and CJ5 production is planned too.