Indian sports utility manufacturer Mahindra and Mahindra is in the process of developing petrol engines in collaboration with the Korean automaker SsangYong for its new products. The carmaker which currently has only diesel engines in its product portfolio is developing petrol engines as an alternative to diesel powered cars in case of market shift.
According to Mr. Pawan Goenka Executive Director Mahindra & Mahindra, the carmaker sees slowdown in the diesel car market thus requires petrol engines to sustain in the automobile industry. Further, he added that developing petrol engines is in line with the automaker’s global aspirations.
The engines being developed will power sports utility vehicles and utility vehicles and are being designed from scratch instead of the earlier petrol engines based on diesel engines, stated Mr. Goenka. A 1.2 liter petrol engine is expected to feature in a new compact SUV by the carmaker which may be launched by 2016.