Mahindra plans to launch Peugeot scooters in N Africa, Vietnam

Homegrown auto major Mahindra is working to expand presence of Peugeot Motocycles, in which it had acquired a majority stake, beyond Europe by entering markets like North Africa and Vietnam.
The group is currently not planning to launch Peugeot scooters in India in the immediate future but may do so in future if it is able to bring down the product cost.
"We are working to expand the market of Peugeot scooters, which until now has been in Europe. We are looking at markets in North Africa and right now we're focusing on Vietnam," Mahindra & Mahindra Executive Director Pawan Goenka told reporters here on the sidelines of SIAM annual convention.

He said as the Peugeot scooters are in premium segment, they could also have a good market in China as well.
When asked about bringing the products in India, he said it's unlikely to happen in the immediate future.
"We have to bring down the cost if we have to launch Peugeot scooters in India. As we said at the time of acquisition, the aim was to expand Peugeot and not to primarily sell its products in India," Goenka said.

It may take at least a year before Peugeot products could make their way to India, he added.
Earlier this year, Mahindra Two Wheelers had completed the 28 million euro acquisition of 51 per cent stake in Peugeot Motocycles (PMTC), a part of the euro 54 billion France-based PSA Group.

Under the terms of the agreement, Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd (MTWL) had infused 15 million euro into PMTC to finance projects implemented through the strategic partnership and had also bought shares held by PSA which would allow MTWL to take a 51 per cent stake in PMTC.
PMTC, a key player in urban mobility in Europe for 116 years, is the oldest motorised two-wheeler manufacturer in the world.
It offers a range of scooters and mopeds, from 50 cc to 400 cc, including the three-wheeled scooter -- Metropolis -- in the European market.