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| Brad Binder in his Ambrigio suit. |
The family-owned empire is achieving top results with motorbike
races — under a ’seffrican rider nogal;
recognised top farmers for the second year running with agricultural awards in
India; and has also been supporting owners in the Mahindra Great Escape to hold
62 rallies across the subcontinent since 1996.
SA rider doing well
Mahindra’s 250 cc
motorbikes are doing well on the international circuit, with South African Brad
Binder, getting his best-yet result and a second top-three podium finish in a
row in the German GP to close the first half of the 2014 season on a successful
note.
Binder rides for Ambrogio Racing, and put his custom 250 cc
Mahindra in the fight for the win throughout the 27-lap race. He crossed 0,180
seconds behind victor Jack Miller on a KTM.
This made Binder the first South African in 29 years to achieve a
podium placing in a motorcycle world championship Grand Prix. The previous
person to achieve this honour was Mario Rademeyer, who took third place in the
250 cc race at the SA motorcycle Grand Prix in 1985.
“To be honest, my first podium feels two years too late,” said an
elated Binder after the race.
“It feels so good. The team and I have been working so hard, on the
bike and away from the track with training, and the Mahindra is really coming
better. I gave 100% to try for the win, but Jack [Miller] rode a really good
last lap, and just didn’t give me the space.”
Binder spent the season break in South Africa, and left for
Indianapolis last week. “Cheers South Africa see you in December,” he
tweeted.
Ute selling like a beaut
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| The XUV 500 |
Global sales of
Mahindra’s most streamlined vehicle, the XUV500 sport ute, have meanwhile passed
the 100 000 mark after 33 months on the market, according to the CEO of the
company’s automotive division, Pravin Shah. He added that this was the fastest
sales rate by any Indian SUV in the price range of R175 000 to R350 000.
The XUV500, which was launched in September 2011, is also sold in
South Africa, Europe, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, Australia and Sri Lanka. Total
sales of the XUV on the local market now exceeds 3 500 units.
All the derivatives in the XUV500 range are powered by a 2,2-litre
mHawk turbo diesel engine developing 103 kW of power and 330 Nm of torque,
driving either the front wheels or all wheels in the case of the AWD model
through a six-speed manual transmission.
Not tied to a barrel of crude
Mahindra is meanwhile
working on a hybrid model of the XUV but at present, there is no confirmation if
and when these variants will come to SA. The group is also launching its GenZ electric scooter in November in the U.S., which will sell for $3 000 (R32 000),
with no plans to bring it to SA’s minuscule bike market — as yet.
