Mahindra bets big on Scorpio Lifestyler to fuel global ambition

Mahindra & Mahindra is gearing up to intensify its passenger vehicle exports to major global markets. In this strategy, the homegrown auto major is betting big on the newly unveiled Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler pickup truck. The automaker is targeting markets like South Africa, Australia, the Middle East and Latin America with this pickup truck.

The OEM has witnessed a multi-fold increase in its electric passenger vehicle sales in FY26. Now, the company is confident of maintaining the growth trajectory in this fiscal as well with new products hitting the market, believes Rajesh Jejurikar, ED & CEO, Auto & Farm Sectors at Mahindra & Mahindra.

Mahindra Scorpio Styler, which is a modern lifestyle pickup truck with tough offroading capabilities, made its grand debut in India just a few days back. It is slated to enter sales in the country in April 2027. The pickup truck will be launched as the Mahindra Lifestyler in global markets. "The Lifestyler pickup was developed as a global platform for access for mainly leveraging a global opportunity...It is an important part of our global growth strategy. We have been outlining that the 'Lifestyler' will be an important part of our global growth strategy," Jejurikar told PTI. He also revealed which global markets the company is targeting with the pickup truck.

The Mahindra official also stated that the OEM is targeting the ASEAN region as well. He said in the ASEAN region, where there is a lot of demand for pickups, the company could look at possible markets for the new Lifestyler. "We are not present in the ASEAN markets except Indonesia. So we would have to open up those markets with these products," Jejurikar said when asked if M&M would export to countries of the bloc, thereby looking to increase overall exports.

According to the company's annual report for FY26, its automotive sector posted an export volume of 41,030 vehicles as against the previous year's exports of 34,709 vehicles, recording an 18.2% year-on-year (YoY) growth. Mahindra exported its SUVs to global markets such as Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa and South America.

Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler betting big on Indian market

Besides targeting export growth, the Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler is betting big on the Indian market as well. Jejurikar said the pickup, which will be sold in India as Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler, could also have a play in the domestic market. "We now see a potential emerging product opportunity in India for a product like that as well. What we've seen over the last three to five years is many more Indian customers who are valuing experiences, curated holidays, curated recreational experiences where they take their own gear with them. The Lifestyler, in a way, is a perfect pickup for them to experience that," he said.

According to him, it could be the coffee plantation owner, or it could be someone who wants to go with friends or family on a camping trail, who would like to buy the pickup truck. He added, "These are all new lifestyle experiences that are emerging, and that could be a very good opportunity for us to leverage that".

Mahindra recording major growth in EV segment

When asked about M&M's electric vehicles, Jejurikar said in the last 16-17 months, the company's EV penetration has literally gone from zero per cent to 12% now of its total SUV volume after the launches of BE 6, XEV 9e and XEV 9S models. Mahindra recently introduced BE 6 Sporteq to add to the existing line-up, and it will hit the market later this month.

When asked if the EV penetration could increase further, Jejurikar said, "We don't want to get too much into what the penetration will be because it's also a function of how much ICE (internal combustion engine) we sell...but it'll keep growing."

According to its annual report, in the electric four-wheeler segment, M&M sold 57,472 vehicles in FY26 as against 14,183 vehicles in FY25, recording a 4X growth.

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