Mumbai: Mahindra & Mahindra today announced the appointment of Mr. Rajan Wadhera as Executive VP, R&D and Global Product Development, Automotive Sector, and Dr. Arun Jaura as Chief Technology Officer, Mahindra Group.

Mr. Rajan Wadhera has been appointed as Executive Vice-President, R&D, and Global Product Development, Automotive Sector. During his earlier stint as EVP, Operations, Automotive Sector, Mr. Wadhera was responsible for Manufacturing and Materials Management and has introduced several disruptive initiatives in operations, resulting in significant improvement in areas of operational excellence. Mr. Wadhera has also successfully reorganized the Materials management function into a technology based organization to facilitate New Product Development. A post graduate from IIT, Mumbai, he has an experience of close to three decades and has earlier been associated with the Eicher Group in different roles that include Director of Supply Chain and Head, Operations.

Dr. Arun Jaura will head the Office of Innovation and Global Advanced Technologies and formulate and implement a technology strategy for the Mahindra Group. This will include work on advanced technology projects, liaison with Global Technology Centres and Centres of Excellence to initiate and cross pollinate research, among other responsibilities. His new role will also include development of Hybrid vehicles and Hydrogen technology for Mahindra's Auto Sector. Dr. Jaura has a rich experience of over 25 years in the Technology space both in India and globally. He has 5 patents in the US/Europe and Japan and regularly contributes to both international and national publications. He was earlier Sr. VP, R&D and Global Product Development, Automotive Sector, at M&M.

Mahindra and Mahindra is the leader in the pick up category and commands a 77% share YTD. This superlative performance is credited to constant innovation and new product launches based on customer insights and multiple customer centric initiatives. The Bolero Camper DX has been specially designed for the new Indian Consumer who demands style, comfort and performance in all his product choices.

About The Mahindra Group

The US $6 billion Mahindra Group is among the top 10 industrial houses in India. Mahindra & Mahindra is the only Indian company among the top tractor brands in the world. Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector has recently won the Japan Quality Medal, the only tractor company worldwide to be bestowed this honour. It also holds the distinction of being the only tractor company worldwide to win the Deming Prize. Mahindra is the market leader in multi-utility vehicles in India. It made a milestone entry into the passenger car segment with the Logan.

The Group has a leading presence in key sectors of the Indian economy, including the financial services, trade and logistics, automotive components, information technology, and infrastructure development.

With over 62 years of manufacturing experience, the Mahindra Group has built a strong base in technology, engineering, marketing and distribution which are key to its evolution as a customer- centric organization. The Group employs over 50,000 people and has several state-of-the-art facilities in India and overseas.

The Mahindra Group has ambitious global aspirations and has a presence on five continents. Mahindra products are today available on every continent except Antarctica. M&M has one tractor manufacturing plant in China, three assembly plants in the United States and one at Brisbane, Australia. It has made strategic acquisitions across the globe including Stokes Forgings (UK), Jeco Holding AG (Germany) and Schoneweiss & Co GmbH (Germany). Its global subsidiaries include Mahindra Europe Srl. based in Italy, Mahindra USA Inc. and Mahindra South Africa.

M&M has entered into partnerships with international companies like Renault SA, France, and International Truck and Engine Corporation, USA. Forbes has ranked the Mahindra Group in its Top 200 list of the World’s Most Reputable Companies and in the Top 10 list of Most Reputable Indian companies. Mahindra has recently been honoured with the Bombay Chamber Good Corporate Citizen Award for 2006-07.