Mahindra & Mahindra on Tuesday launched its 'micro-hybrid' technology- equipped variant of sports utility vehicles -- Scorpio and Bolero, priced between Rs 6,50,000 and Rs 6,97,000.
"This is the technological innovation which we have developed with the support from Bosch. This will give an average fuel saving of about five per cent from the normal vehicles," Mahindra & Mahindra President (Auto Motive sector) Pawan Goenka told reporters.
The micro-hybrid technology enables vehicle engine to turn off automatically when idle or in neutral gear. The engine restarts once the clutch is pressed.
Goenka said the company plans to bring this technology in all of the company's high-volume products, including Mahindra Pick-up and other engine series such as the M-Hawk.
The company is also considering to use the technology in its yet-to-be launched Ingenio SUVs, he said.
Asked about the sales target of this new product, he declined to give a specific answer.
On possibilities of exporting this vehicle, he said, "We may look at similar markets like South-East Asia and Nepal in future but our present focus will be on the domestic market."
M&M has also applied for a patent for a specific sensor, which it has developed as part of this technology. He said the company is considering to focus on the hybrid vehicle development but 'is taking time due to certain issues'.
"We will take at least another two years to come with the full-hybrid as we are coming across many issues such as costing, " Goenka.
Goenka also said although the micro-hybrid technology will not get direct incentives from the government, he was looking for some benefits in the form of excise.
