Volkswagen and Mahindra have inked a significant deal, marking the first supply contract for MEB components from Volkswagen to Mahindra’s electric platform, INGLO. The agreement, finalized nearly two years after Mahindra’s initial announcement of its intent to utilize Volkswagen’s MEB modular system, establishes Mahindra as the first external partner to adopt Volkswagen’s unified cell technology.
Under the terms of the contract, Volkswagen Group Technology, along with its “Platform Business” division and Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, will oversee the coordination of this new partnership with Mahindra. While specifics regarding the start date of deliveries and the exact components covered by the contract remain undisclosed, Volkswagen has confirmed that the agreement spans several years and is expected to amount to approximately 50 GWh over its duration.
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Initially, discussions between Volkswagen and Mahindra centered around equipping five electric SUV models with MEB components, slated to begin in 2024. However, reports have suggested potential delays, with insiders indicating that battery cells and electric motors might not be delivered until 2026 or 2027. In the meantime, Mahindra is reportedly planning to equip its new electric models with battery cells from BYD and electric motors from Valeo.
The collaboration with Volkswagen marks a significant step for Mahindra’s “Born Electric” SUVs, which will be based on the all-electric INGLO platform. While Mahindra will focus on the chassis, body, and interior aspects of the vehicles, including infotainment, the platform will rely on Volkswagen’s electric drive and battery system.
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Mahindra has already announced the launch of five all-electric SUVs in India, beginning with the XUV.e8 in December 2024. The production site for these vehicles will be located in Pune, Maharashtra.
Volkswagen’s MEB platform and components are currently utilized by Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, and Seat/Cupra, as well as by Ford, although Ford does not purchase the unified cell from Volkswagen. The launch of the first Ford electric vehicle with MEB components, the Explorer, has been delayed by six months, with a new launch date anticipated in 2024.
