Mahindra’s Anish Shah touches on global competitiveness, EV push, and export vision
He emphasised that to meet India’s aspirations, the manufacturing sector must grow 16-fold in the next 23 years, while exports need to increase 11-fold, calling for quality improvements, lower operational costs, and enhanced ease of doing business.
Shah highlighted the robust position of Indian automakers, which continue to hold their own against international competitors. He pointed to Mahindra’s own rapid expansion, with its manufacturing capacity tripling in recent years — yet still struggling to keep pace with domestic demand. This growth, he said, underscores the quality and global competitiveness of Indian-made vehicles.
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Citing Mahindra’s 80% market share in the tractor sector despite foreign competition, Shah asserted, “Indian automakers today can compete globally,” adding, “Just wait for our electric vehicles.”
Trade barriers and market competition
Dispelling the need for protectionist tariffs, Shah argued that Indian industry has thrived without them for two decades, benefitting from competition. “Indian industry needs no protection,” he stated, while noting that a balance of tariff and non-tariff barriers remains essential to bolster Indian manufacturing and facilitate exports.
“If manufacturing cars abroad is cheaper, Indian companies may look to set up plants outside and import,” he explained, emphasising the importance of holistic tariff and duty adjustments to maintain local industry appeal.
Acknowledging that India’s vast market will likely keep export revenue shares modest in the near term, Shah envisioned a stronger role for exports in the next 10–15 years as Mahindra’s global footprint expands. He pointed out that building capacity for export growth remains part of Mahindra’s long-term strategy.
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Lastly, Shah underscored Mahindra’s commitment to R&D as foundational to its operations. Highlighting efficient and frugal spending compared to global peers, he added, “Innovation and R&D are key to sustaining our growth.”
