In this exciting episode of the evo India Podcast, we’re joined by Mr. R Velusamy, President of Automotive Technology and Product Development at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. If you’re an engineer, a student in engineering college, or simply a car enthusiast, this podcast is packed with insights you don’t want to miss!
Hosted by Ed Sirish Chandran, this episode deeply delves into R Velusamy's journey – from his early days to becoming a pivotal figure at Mahindra & Mahindra. The biggest challenges faced in automotive technology and product development, the turning points for Mahindra: Was it the 2020 Thar or the revolutionary XUV700? The story behind developing the 2020 Mahindra Thar, setting up the Mahindra Research Valley (MRV), and MSPT. The talent, innovation, and engineering brilliance make Mahindra a global name in the automotive industry.
Get ready for a deep dive into the world of automotive engineering, innovation, and leadership with R Velusamy. So, grab your pens and notepads and tune in for this engineering masterclass!
0:00 Introduction
3:16 R Velusamy's initial years
4:41 Highlights from initial career
5:40 Challenges faced during the initial days
6:55 Journey to heading the R&D at Mahindra Auto
10:16 Turning point for Mahindra Auto in the recent past
18:26 Why has Mahindra Auto focused more on performance than fuel efficiency?
20:09 Guiding the team toward a customer-first approach
23:13 Was there a pullback from management on giving more than competition?
24:45 Safety ratings of the Mahindra SUVs
26:34 Setup at Mahindra Research Valley and suspension setup of Mahindra SUVs
42:35 Role of MSPT - Mahindra SUVs Proving Track
43:49 Was it difficult to convince management to invest in MSPT?
49:05 How to invest in good human resources for making the best SUVs
53:19 Why was an effort taken to make a new Thar Roxx rather than extending the wheelbase of the 3-door Thar?
1:00:52 How difficult has the EV project been?
1:07:03 Shopping spree of tech around the world for BE 6 and XEV 9e and assembling at MRV
1:13:59 Acquiring the EV know-how
1:19:31 What other challenges were faced in the EVs apart from the rear suspension challenge
1:24:29 Partnership with Volkswagen
1:24:54 Personal preference - ICE or EVs?
1:26:34 Are sentiments towards EVs changing?
1:28:29 What's R Velusamy's pick between the Mahindra BE 6 and XEV 9e?
1:29:06 Passion projects that reflect enthusiasm like the BE Rall.e
1:29:48 Mahindra Thar.e
1:30:10 Having no Creta rival
1:31:29 Is the Mahindra Thar Roxx the last ICE?
1:32:03 Engineering talent Mahindra is on the lookout for
1:32:56 How has talent changed in the R&D department
1:34:30 Message to all the students in school and engineering colleges
1:36:13 Where does R Velusamy draw inspiration from?
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