Mahindra To Fully Acquire Peugeot Motocycles

The brand plans to introduce seven new products from 2019 to 2021

• The upcoming two-wheelers will primarily be for Europe and select Asian markets.
• Mahindra’s subsidiary, Mahindra Two-wheelers Europe will be acquiring the French company.
• It had earlier bought a 51per cent stake in Peugeot Motocycles. 

Indian auto major Mahindra & Mahindra’s subsidiary Mahindra Two-wheelers Europe has announced that it plans to acquire a 100 per cent stake in French brand Peugeot Motocycles. Earlier in 2015, it had acquired a 51 per cent stake to further its business. The two companies teamed up and had unveiled “Performance 2020” business plan in July 2018 under which Peugeot would reinforce its presence in European markets and also expand to select Asian markets. 

France will still remain one of its primary markets and the Peugeot branding will continue to be used. Peugeot will continue to contribute to the design and development of its products. The brand plans to introduce seven new products between 2019 and 2021.

Rajesh Jejurikar, President FES & Two-wheelers, and Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said that they are witnessing a positive momentum at Peugeot Motocycles. He cited examples like its 50cc scooter, the Peugeot Kisbee 50, which has reportedly become the largest-selling 50cc vehicle in Europe; and the brand’s three-wheeled scooter, the Peugeot Metropolis’s sales are getting stronger in Europe as well as China. He added that Mahindra fully supports Peugeot Motocycles’ “Performance 2020” plan.

Peugeot Motocycles already has presence in China, Israel, Indonesia, South Korea, Lebanon, Turkey, Vietnam, Palestine and Japan. Expect the brand to enter other Asian markets like Thailand and Malaysia and perhaps India too.

If you can recall, Peugeot had taken the wraps off its maiden modern motorcycles built on the Mahindra Mojo platform, the P2x Roadster and P2x Cafe Racer at the 2018 Intermot show. The former was a retro-modern motorcycle with spoke wheels and comfortable, upright ergonomics whereas the latter featured alloy wheels, sportier body panels and clip-on handlebars for more aggressive ergonomics. The production version of the two bikes might be unveiled at this year’s EICMA show in Milan, Italy. If that happens, Peugeot could kick off its India operations with these two motorcycles. Since the two bikes are already based on an India-specific product, it shouldn’t be too difficult for Peugeot to set up shop with these bikes. The motorcycles were supposed to be sold here and exported as well, but given the Jawa delay, things might’ve gotten pushed.