AMERICA City gets first automotive production facility in 25 years M& M taps Detroit for new US unit

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Washington, Nov. 21: Indian automobile giant Mahindra & Mahindra has opened a new $ 230 million plant for an off- highway vehicle in Detroit, the world’s car capital, which got its first automotive production facility in 25 years.

The new plant will create 250 new jobs in the United States, the world’s top automotive market. “This is an exciting day for Mahindra...,” chairman Anand Mahindra said.

“This building opening represents our company’s growing presence in North America and locally in the Metro Detroit area where we have tripled our workforce during the past 18 months. We are committed to growing the Mahindra brand in North America and Michigan,” he said.

“It is pretty and extraordinary,” said Michigan lieutenant governor Brian Calley at the Mahindra automotive plant launch event on Monday in Detroit metropolitan area. “You are an important and vital part of the resurgence of Detroit,” he told Mahindra employees and top officials of the company.

In few weeks, the facility will produce an off- highway vehicle which will extend Mahindra’s current position in this segment, Mr Mahindra said.

Designed and engineered by Mahindra Automotive North America ( MANA), the vehicle promises to be unlike anything currently on the market, he said.

An off- road vehicle is one which is capable of driving on and off gravel surface.

“This expansion represents a milestone for us and for Michigan. We started this operation with seven people four years ago — to be crossing the 250 mark is a testament to the hard work of our employees and what this region has to offer in terms of top automotive talent,” said MANA president and CEO Richard Haas at the event.

By 2020, additional projects will result in 400 more jobs and another $ 600 million in investment over that same period.

This building opening represents our company’s growing presence in North America and locally in the Metro Detroit area where we have tripled our workforce during the past 18 months. t —

ANAND MAHINDRA