Varese, Italy, September, 2015:
Mahindra Racing, the only Indian constructor in the MotoGP World Championship series, has taken a further step towards growth and development – both inside and beyond racing – with its recent move to a new headquarters in the north of Italy. The new state-of-the-art engineering and development facility is at Varese, in the heart of the Lombardy region, and at the core of much of Italy's long and glorious history in motorcycle racing and production.
According to Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, "This new centre in Italy joins Mahindra's neural network of innovation along with other development centres in India, the US and South Korea. We decided to set up this centre in Italy given the country's passion for, and expertise in motorcycle development. It also demonstrates our growing commitment to the MotoGP championship."
The facility incorporates computer-aided design and engineering (CAD &CAE), as well as FMEA (Failure Modes Effect Analysis) studies. High-tech test and quality-control laboratories combine with cutting-edge prototyping manufacturing processes; and a well-equipped warehouse to ensure spare-parts availability for customers. It is staffed by personnel drawn from some of the best motorcycle companies in Italy, with experience ranging from racing both on- and off-road, as well as production.
Mahindra Racing entered the World Championship series in 2011, and has grown steadily in results and in importance to become one of the cornerstones of the highly competitive Moto3 class. Up against well-established racing constructors Honda and KTM, the Indian brand has gone from just two factory-backed riders to support nine riders in four teams in 2015; and from learner-racers to regular contenders for top podium positions.
The growth in 2015 went hand in glove with the move last September from a base in Switzerland to the new Varese facility, where the latest version of the jewel-like MGP3O was extensively redesigned and upgraded in line with the latest technical regulations for the smallest grand prix class.
Mahindra Racing CEO Mufaddal Choonia explains the reason for the choice of location, an area with a strong racing culture and an abundance of high-quality design and engineering talent. The Varese facility is close several leading Italian motorcycle manufacturers. It is a hotbed of motorcycling heritage and renown.
"By locating in Varese, Mahindra is able to take advantage of a big talent pool of experience and excellence, with a special focus on motorcycles and a wonderful motorcycle racing history. Furthermore, the Lombardy region in the north of Italy is convenient for the rest of Europe, giving us access to a network of suppliers, said Choonia.
It is also important that the local government has been very supportive of our move to the region.
Since our entry into the championship series, Mahindra Racing has become a significant player and ever more successful. This move and the investment in the facilities shows our increased commitment to the sport, the CEO continued.
By taking development entirely into our own hands, we can make faster progress and have quicker reactions to our customers' needs.
At the same time, we are developing technologies that can be transferred to our growing range of production two-wheelers. With engineering development anchored at Varese, it will help us to grow our overall business. Mahindra Two Wheelers also acquired 51% of Peugeot Motorcycles in January 2015.
Nine riders campaign the Mahindra MGP3O in the 2015 Moto3 championship, led by the three-strong Mapfre Team Mahindra. San Carlo Team Italia, Outox Reset Drink Team and the CIP team field two riders apiece.
Mahindra Racing is part of the US $16.9-billion Mahindra Group, based in India, and operating in 18 industries ranging from two-wheelers to aerospace, and employing more than 200,000 people in 100 countries world-wide.
The new centre strengthens the group's presence in Europe, playing an important role in the aspiration to emerge among the Top 50 Most Admired Brands by 2021.
Mahindra Racing MGP3O race bikes will be competing in the Moto3 class of the upcoming Pramac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix on October 16-18, 2015, in three weeks' time.
About Mahindra Racing
Mahindra Racing became the first Indian team to participate in the FIM MotoGP™ World Motorcycle Racing Championship series in 2011 and the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (CIV) in 2012. Mahindra Racing was also the first Indian team to compete in FIA Formula E all electric Racecar Category, since its inception in 2014 with 10 teams.
In 2015, Mahindra is competing as a constructor in its fourth year in the Moto3™ class of MotoGP with its own 4-stroke, 250cc motorcycle: the Mahindra MGP3O. Mahindra Racing supplies the bike to four teams with a total of nine riders on the grid: Mapfre Mahindra Team - Jorge Martin (SPA), Francesco Bagnaia (ITA), Juanfran Guevara (SPA); Outox Reset Drink Team - Alessandro Tonucci (ITA), Darryn Binder (RSA); CIP - Remy Gardner (AUS), Tatsuki Suzuki (JPN); San Carlo Team Italia - Matteo Ferrari (ITA), Stefano Manzi (ITA).
Mahindra Racing made history in the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix taking the first-ever podium for an Indian constructor. The MGP3O recorded top-five finishes in 10 of the 17 rounds in the 2013 World Championship as well as a pole position, three circuit lap records and third in the Constructors' rankings. The 2014 season saw a further three podium finishes for the Indian motorcycle, including second place at the Sachsenring.
As well as its commitment in the World Championship, Mahindra continues to supply MGP3O machines to Team Aspar to compete in World Championship feeder series, the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 Junior World Championship in 2015. Mahindra's bold decision to take on the world's best at the highest level of motorcycle racing has won the team a number of prestigious awards in India, including: the NDTV Car and Bike Awards - 'Mobil 1 Motorsport Award of the Year', 2012 and 2013; the Bike India Magazine - 'Motorsport Award', 2013; and 'ZigWheels Motorsport Award of the Year', 2012.
For further information please visit: www.mahindraracing.com.
About Mahindra
The Mahindra Group is a US$ 16.9 billion multinational group based in Mumbai,India Mahindra employs more than 200,000 people in over 100 countries Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership. In addition, Mahindra enjoys a strong presence in the agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel, commercial vehicles and two wheeler industries In 2014, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000, a comprehensive listing of the world's largest, most powerful public companies, as measured by revenue, profit, assets and market value. The Mahindra Group also received the Financial Times Boldness in Business' Award in the Emerging Markets' category in 2013 Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise through solutions that power mobility, drive rural prosperity, enhance urban lifestyles and increase business efficiency
Visit us at www.mahindra.com.
For further enquiries
Mr. Darius Lam
General Manager
Group Communications
Mahindra Group
Phone: +91 22 2491 6818
lam.darius@mahindra.com
Ms. Ellie Neville
Mahindra Racing Moto3 & trade; press officer
HPS Jardine
Phone: +44 1628 894 701
Mobile: +44 7780 820 444
ellie.neville@hpsjardine.com