Since the time REVA began selling EVs, it only has managed to dispatch 3,000-odd units globally. Come 2011, with the help of a new facility in Bangalore capable of producing 30,000 units/annum, and Mahindra’s dealership network, it is looking to sell about 1,300 cars in India alone bringing the grand total to 2,500, reports Business Standard.
The new Bangalore facility will be operational by April 2011 and the first of the new variants to roll out will be the 2-door REVA NXR hatchback showcased at the Frankfurt Motorshow in 2009. Mahindra REVA is expected to get a free run as there are no rivals in the electric car segment here in India. The only company capable of spoiling the party is General Motors, whose electric vehicle prototype is scheduled for only display in April.
On its official website, REVA notes the NXR will be available in 2012 and the NXG in 2013. Does the company intend to sell 1,300 units of the REVAi in India next year?
Mahindra REVA informs us that its electric vehicle REVAi will be available at 5 Mahindra dealerships in Hyderabad.
Mr. R. Chandramouli, Chief of Operations, Mahindra REVA -
We are delighted to launch the REVAi in Hyderabad where there is already a great deal of interest in our vehicles. With issues such as climate change and carbon footprint taking centre stage globally, eco-friendly transportation has become the need of the hour. The electric vehicle market is hence, poised to grow rapidly. Mahindra’s extensive distribution network, coupled with our unique finance plan will help us make significant inroads into the local market
Mahindra REVA will launch NXG in 2011 and the NXR perhaps in 2012. The NXR and NXG were shown at Frankfurt 2008.
jump past the break to read the press release
Maini Reva has been renamed as the Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle Company after Mahindra’s takeover of the Bangalore based electric car maker.
Reva unveiled two electric car concepts, the NXR and NXG at the 2010 Auto Expo New Delhi. Mahindra Reva announced that these cars would be launched by the last quarter of 2011. The Reva NXR and NXG would be exported to international markets too.
Pawan Goenka, Chairman, Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle Co. -
A lot of work is going on at the moment and the launch of the new Reva NXR and NXG should be by Q4 of 2011.
The cars are being tested thoroughly and Indian Autos Blog even brought you exclusive spy pics of the NXR electric vehicle being tested on the highways.
The big question is what badge would the new NXR and NXG carry? Would Mahindra realize the value of Maini’s Reva’s efforts in developing the car or would it vainly stamp its badge on the electric cars just because it owns the company?
Spied while undergoing testing on the outskirts of Bangalore by our reader Tarun Kumar Tripathy, this Reva NXR is a Left Hand Drive model. The car was traveling at a very moderate speed (you can’t expect an EV to take you on the inside on a sharp right-hander, can you?) and was on one of its routine test runs. The car is a two-door, four seater, all-electric car just like the current Reva city car.
The Reva NXR appears to be dimensionally bigger than the Reva city car and should hopefully be more spacious on the inside as well. The Reva NXR was first showcased at last years Frankfurt Motor Show along with the Reva NXG as a concept. The car in the spy shots is one of the prototype test mules.
The Reva NXR is expected to be launched only sometime next year along with the Reva NXG in the Indian market, but it could make its debut in International markets before being launched in India.
Everyone is aware of the fact that Mahindra has bought 55.2% equity in REVA Electric Car Company (REVA). The announcement was made today in Bangalore.
What not many will know is GM India is planning to break ties with REVA and the Spark EV will be engineered in-house. GM and REVA had entered into an agreement where the latter would supply electric powertrains for the Spark. It was widely believed that REVA would also supply powertrains for the next gen Aveo and Beat.
GM India vice-president P Balendran -
We may not continue the Spark EV programme with Reva in the light of this development and will pursue our own electric vehicle programme. An announcement to this effect will be issued soon.
General Motors isn’t willing to continue the partnership despite Mahindra not having any issues with the previously signed agreement.
M&M president for automotive and farm equipment sector Pawan Goenka -
We have no problems with GM continuing. We are quite open to it.
GM had showcased a working concept e-Spark at the Auto Expo in Delhi earlier this year. The company was very optimistic with its plans and said it could sell thousands of these vehicles in India citing that India will see a no-compromise electric vehicle in the e-Spark. GM was supposed to launch the e-Spark by December 2010, but that looks like a long shot after this announcement.
click through for Mahindra REVA press release
With this move, REVA could produce electric cars from Italy as well
Fiat’s Sicily plant which once was believed to have attracted attention from Tata Motors, is now being connected to the world’s largest electric vehicle makers REVA.
The REVA Electric Car Company wants to franchise its business. It wishes to setup plants across the globe rather than having one base.
Keith Johnston, Reva Electric car company -
Our strategy is to regionalize the assembly of electric cars, and we are seeking venture partners who can access expertise and funds around the world. We are involved in several early stage discussions and no decision has been taken with regards to locations or partners
Reports indicate REVA could jointly bid for the plant with Simone Cimino, a Sicilian financier.
The Sicily plant produces Fiat Panda and Lancia Musa. Fiat has decided last year to shut down this plant as production costs rocketed towards the moon. Some 2,500 employees are said to be affected by this move.
The Sicilian government is keen to reduce dependence on oil and its agenda is mostly got to do with electric vehicles and setting up a proper infrastructure for them.
REVA wants to license EV technology to global CV manufacturers
After trying numerous experiments with passenger cars and electric equipments, REVA is now trying its hand in electrifying the commercial vehicle business.
Similar to the GM-REVA deal, the company is in talks with global commercial vehicle manufacturers for licensing its technology and tie-ups.
REVA is said to have a fully functioning prototype of an electric bus in its facility. It is trying to transplant versions of its technology into three wheelers, buses and commercial vehicles.
Chetan Kumar Maini, deputy chairman and chief technology officer, Reva -
We are in talks with global commercial vehicle makers, including domestic CV players, for technology licensing tie-ups and expect at least five such partnerships to shape up by 2013
REVA is eying satellite plans through a franchisee model in US, Europe, Australia and South East Asia. Instead of concentrating on production in one location, REVA looks to attack key areas on globe with regional plants which will have an annual capacity of about 5,000 vehicles.
click through for Image Gallery
Reva NXR will be sold in Iceland by Northern Lights Energy
Northern Lights Energy (NLE) and the world’s largest maker of EVs Reva Electric Car Company (RECC), have joined hands to explore the electric vehicle market in Iceland.
According to the signed agreement, NLE holds exclusive distribution rights for the Reva NXR in Iceland. The Reva NXR goes reaches customers in Iceland in the middle of next year.
RECC is also considering the possibility of installing a manufacturing plant for its EVs in Iceland. It will use this facility to supply cars to the various countries in Europe.
Gisli Gislason, Chairman of NLE -
Iceland, with its advanced electric grid technology that uses 100% renewable energy in electricity production is a perfect location for zero-emissions electric vehicles
