Mahindra used this week’s (November 12-18) Agritechnica show in Hannover, Germany, to display brand-new 6000, 7000 and 9000 series tractors in Europe for the first time, and to reveal to iVT that there will be a full launch of these machines in this market next year.
The vehicles, which were launched in the USA in September, include the new Mahindra 6000 series. This has five options available on two models, namely the 6065 and 6075 (above). Options on this series include 2WD or 4WD and a cab. Both are powered by four-cylinder turbo engines at 62hp for the 6065 model, and 71hp for the 6075 model. Transmission is a power shuttle system with speed synchromesh and range constantmesh using 15 forward and 15 reverse gears.
In the 7000 Series there are two models, which are only available in four-wheel drive, the 7085 and the 7095 (above) rated at 85hp and 95hp respectively. Again this series is powered by four-cylinder turbocharged, direct injection common rail engines. In the 9000 series there are two models available, the 9110 and 9125, available in a number of options with Powershift or Powershuttle transmissions.
Speaking exclusively to iVT Mahindra’s general manager of international operations Manoj Dalvi (pictured above with the 9125) said, “Next year we will be ready for the European market, so this is a good opportunity for us to come here and showcase what is to come. We produce and sell approximately 300,000 tractors a year, more than half of which are in India. For us the big growth area will be out of India. We already have 45% market share in India. We don’t want to put all our eggs in one basket. We need to globalize.”
As part of this globalization Mahindra has bought up some existing brands including Sampo Rosenlew combines, ArmaTrac tractors (the 1104 is pictured below), Hisarlar and Mitsubishi ag vehicles (now Mitsubishi Mahindra Agricultural Machinery)
Mahindra has also launched its SmartEye system which acts as a guidance unit for tractors but is the only one on the market that does not use GPS and favors using camera technology instead.
Globally, the Mahindra group operates in over 100 countries, has over 200,000 employees and turns over US$19bn per year.
By Tom Stone and Chris McCullough
