Mahindra and Ssangyong jointly developing six new engines

It is no secret that taking over Ssangyong has turned out to be a profitable deal for Mahindra. While the Korean manufacturer has been turning out profits since it got the financial backing, it has also been assisting the Indian car maker in developing platforms and other technologies. Now it has been revealed that the two manufacturers are collaborating to build six new engines, which will be used in both Ssangyong and Mahindra models.

This was revealed by Arun Malhotra, Chief Sales and Customer Care Officer, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra during the launch of the new RX6 variant of the Ssangyong Rexton SUV. "There will be joint research and development for six engines between Mahindra and SsangYong," he said. 

He refused to let it on how many of these engines will be petrol or diesel, or the location of their production. Malhotra hinted that as the company has a 40-45 per cent market share of the SUV segment, this is where they will be focusing their attention. 

The Ssangyong brand was launched in India to bolster Mahindra’s image as a premium car maker rather than just drive up its volumes. Jointly developing products helps in sharing the development costs as well as widens the scope of technological development. 

Mahindra and Ssagyong have also been working together on a compact SUV platform, which will underpin their new Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster rival. While the product will get the Mahindra badging in India, the car will be sold elsewhere as a Ssangyong. "Mahindra most likely will have a version of a car on that (X100) platform," Malhotra said. "There are future products that we will collaborate on where a common platform either of Mahindra or Ssangyong could potentially be used for both."