M&M to Intensify Exports with New Pickup 'Lifestyler'

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) is gearing up to intensify its exports with the newly unveiled pickup 'Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler,' targeting markets including South Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and Latin America, according to Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director and CEO of the Auto & Farm Sectors. The pickup is slated to launch in India in April 2027, with the global version to be sold as the 'Mahindra Lifestyler.'

Jejurikar told PTI that the Lifestyler was developed as a global platform and forms an important part of the company's global growth strategy. "The Lifestyler pickup was developed as a global platform for access for mainly leveraging a global opportunity...It is an important part of our global growth strategy," he said. He identified potential export markets including South Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and Latin America, and noted that ASEAN markets, where pickup demand is strong, could also be considered. However, M&M currently has a presence only in Indonesia within ASEAN, and Jejurikar acknowledged that the company "would have to open up those markets with these products."

In the domestic market, Jejurikar said the pickup "could also have a play," citing emerging lifestyle experiences among Indian customers, such as camping trails and curated holidays. He described the Lifestyler as a perfect fit for customers like "the coffee plantation owner, or someone who wants to go with friends or family on a camping trail." He added that these evolving lifestyle preferences could represent "a very good opportunity for Mahindra & Mahindra to leverage."

Export Growth and Electric Vehicle Momentum

M&M's export push comes on the back of a strong year for its automotive sector. According to the company's annual report for 2025-26, automotive exports rose to 41,030 vehicles from 34,709 in the prior year, a growth of 18.2 percent. The company currently exports its SUVs to markets such as Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa, and South America.

Jejurikar also highlighted significant progress in electric vehicles. Over the past 16-17 months, EV penetration in M&M's SUV portfolio has risen from zero to 12 percent, following the launches of the BE 6, XEV 9e, and XEV 9S models. The company sold 57,472 electric four-wheelers in 2025-26, compared to 14,183 in the previous year—a fourfold increase. Recently, M&M introduced the BE 6 SPORTEQ, which is set to hit the market later this month.

When asked about future EV penetration, Jejurikar said, "We don't want to get too much into what the penetration will be because it's also a function of how much ICE (internal combustion engine) we sell...but it'll keep growing."