Vehicle manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra and EV technology firm REE Automotive have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop electric commercial vehicles for global markets.
The deal will see REE’s EV platform technology, which integrates powertrain, suspension and steering components in the arch of a vehicle wheel, combined with Mahindra & Mahindra’s vehicle design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
Initially the partnership is aiming to produce 200,000-250,000 vehicles over the next few years, with the potential for this to be increased further.
REE’s technology is said to be designed for current and future e-mobility applications, including autonomous vehicles.
Mahindra & Mahindra executive director for auto and farm sectors Rajesh Jejurikar said: “Our collaboration with REE has the potential to bring a disruptive approach to a new age of vehicles capitalizing on our respective strengths.
“The competitive advantages of REE’s corner modular architecture with our experience in conventional vehicle system design, engineering, sourcing ecosystem and significant production capacity, provides a perfect match to deliver exciting zero emission vehicles, including autonomous vehicles, that can meet customer needs as never before.”
REE co-founder and chief executive officer Daniel Barel said: “We are excited to partner with Mahindra to explore synergies that will allow us to address our customers’ needs based on Mahindra’s footprint and capabilities.
“Mahindra’s unique cost structure, design and engineering capabilities and volume flexibility will be key to our ability to address the majority of the commercial EV market with both large volume vehicles as well as more targeted mission-specific vehicles.
“Having a partner like Mahindra joining our growing OEM partners network will allow us to drive our EV technology faster and at scale.”
