If Scorpio had flopped, company board would have fired me: Anand Mahindra

Mahindra Chairman, Anand Mahindra, has always been vocal about the growth and sentiment surrounding Mahindra. In a recent tweet, he explained how his career owes much to the Mahindra Scorpio, which has recently reached a production milestone of 900,000 units in India.

In his tweet, Anand Mahindra shared how his stint at the Mahindra Group depended on the success of the Mahindra Scorpio. He reminisced about the moment when he first road-tested the Scorpio almost two decades ago before it hit the showroom floors and became a resounding success across the country.

I’m sure you haven’t forgotten how we were in Nashik together to road test the prototype @hormazdsorabjee Phew, we’ve come a long way since then! But this trusty warhorse has always been at our side, ready to ride into battle with us. If it had flopped, the board would have fired… https://t.co/qklIM7lbtw

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 1, 2023

Anand Mahindra also mentioned how the Scorpio has consistently remained a reliable workhorse that has propelled the automaker to new heights of success.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

Concluding his tweet, Anand Mahindra emphasized that if the Scorpio project had failed, the board of directors would have dismissed him. This tweet highlights the deep personal connection Anand Mahindra had with the Mahindra Scorpio, investing all his strength and expertise to ensure its grand success.

How was the Scorpio developed?

During the 1990s, Mahindra made substantial investments in research and development to create a brand-new car. The Scorpio was conceived by Pawan Goenka, who was closely associated with the company until recently. Goenka, who had previously worked in the R&D division of General Motors in Detroit, proposed the idea of developing a vehicle from scratch rather than licensing an existing product.

The Mahindra Scorpio was a risky endeavor, as the company’s fate hinged on its success. Despite the relatively high price tag of around Rs 5.5 lakh, which was considered expensive for a Mahindra vehicle at the time, the Scorpio achieved remarkable success in the market. This triumph instilled a newfound confidence in Mahindra and Mahindra, inspiring them to introduce a range of innovative products.

Recently, Mahindra celebrated the production of the 900,000th unit of the Scorpio range, which now comprises two distinct models: the Scorpio Classic and the Scorpio-N. The Scorpio Classic is a revamped and rebranded version of the previous-generation Scorpio, while the Scorpio-N represents the new-generation SUV with upscale styling inside and out.

Starting with a front-engine and rear-wheel drive configuration, the Scorpio soon introduced four-wheel drive variants. Under the leadership of Anand Mahindra, the design and manufacturing of the Scorpio project were conceptualized in-house.

Over the course of two decades, the Mahindra Scorpio underwent various changes, evolving into a more popular and premium offering with each iteration. The first-generation Scorpio was introduced with an attractive starting price of Rs 5.5 lakh. With its robust mechanical underpinnings, rugged styling, and strong road presence, the Scorpio quickly became a favorite among Indian customers.

In 2022, Mahindra introduced an all-new version of the Scorpio, known as the Scorpio-N, to replace the aging Scorpio in their lineup. However, due to the massive popularity of the previous-generation Scorpio in smaller towns and rural areas, Mahindra decided to continue selling the old Scorpio alongside the new Scorpio-N, rebranding it as the Scorpio Classic.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered