Mahindra:

It’s time to rethink odometers—today’s vehicles are built to last 15 years or more, whether on roads, farms, or construction sites. With advanced engineering, composite materials, and AI-driven systems optimizing performance, manufacturing data isn’t just about today’s assembly lines or tomorrow’s prototypes. It’s about leveraging decades of insights to keep Mahindra vehicles running smoothly worldwide.

Mahindra & Mahindra is one of India’s most respected global enterprises, leading in automotive, tractor, bus, and equipment manufacturing. At the heart of its innovation is the Mahindra Research Valley (MRV) in Chennai, India—a hub connecting engineering and manufacturing centers worldwide.

Consumers are part of the global network too. Virtual showrooms let them explore Mahindra vehicles through hyper-realistic 3D configurations and virtual test drives. Some dealerships even offer VR headsets for immersive customization of colors, seating, and entertainment systems—all powered by seamless, secure data.

As Mahindra’s production of SUVs, EVs, and large equipment grows, so does the scale and complexity of its data. Engineers rely on high-performance computing (HPC), AI-enabled computer vision, and advanced simulations to design, test, and optimize vehicles. And they do all of this across on-premises and multi-cloud environments, securely, and at scale. These tools create digital twins—virtual replicas of vehicles in design, production, or on the road. Digital twins allow engineers to use AI for scratch tests and design refinements, making AI the driving force behind Mahindra’s data growth. 

AI also enables seamless collaboration between MRV and design labs in the UK and Italy, while transforming factory floors from India to the U.S. and Australia. 

Jagdish partnered with NetApp to implement enterprise storage optimized for diverse workloads—from AutoCAD designs and wind tunnel simulations to reliable backup and recovery. NetApp^® FAS hybrid storage handles dynamic workloads, while all-flash NetApp AFF A-Series supports mission-critical tasks like ERP and CRM databases. Across this hybrid environment, NetApp^® ONTAP^® maintains fast, secure access to apps and data. 

Mahindra has embraced virtualization, with 95% of workloads on virtual platforms. However, specialized tasks like manufacturing execution systems (MES) remain on traditional systems. The company’s cloud-first, cloud-agnostic strategy ensures flexibility, using Azure for SQL databases, AWS Lambda for serverless compute, and Google Cloud for live GPS tracking. While customer-facing apps like CRM are already in the cloud, Mahindra balances on-premises and cloud solutions to meet its unique needs.  

More than 60 apps running on NetApp hardware power Mahindra’s engineering and manufacturing. This includes petabytes of storage for crash testing, design fine-tuning, and simulations to ensure vehicles lead in India’s sustainability goals. Mahindra is India’s #1 commercial EV manufacturer, with over 200,000 EVs produced and 40% market share. The company is also committed to carbon neutrality by 2040 as part of its Planet Positive program.

Sustainability extends to Mahindra’s farm equipment. Tractors equipped with hyperspectral imaging and soil testing help farmers optimize field health and boost crop yields. Mahindra also supports reforestation programs, like coffee plantations, to help family farms diversify and combat climate change.

Mahindra’s global R&D operates 24/7, with NetApp Snapshot™ copies and SnapVault^® backup software enabling secure file replication and recovery. The company’s three-tier disaster recovery plan includes: 

1. Local NetApp hardware for short-term storage. 
2. In-country replication for near disaster recovery. 
3. Cross-continent data centers for far disaster recovery, bolstering resilience across seismic zones. 

NetApp’s AI-powered ransomware protection adds another layer of security, safeguarding Mahindra’s critical data. 

AI is transforming Mahindra’s operations. On the factory floor, AI-powered computer vision inspects body paint, identifying flaws invisible to the human eye. This automation improves quality control across 150 production stages, boosting productivity and product quality. 

In agriculture, AI combined with satellite imagery helps farmers determine the best time to harvest for optimal nutrition and market value. Meanwhile, Mahindra.AI, the company’s private generative AI platform, empowers employees to innovate across design, HR, legal, and supply chain operations. This platform positions Mahindra to use data as its most significant competitive advantage. 

For nearly 80 years, Mahindra has harnessed technology to drive innovation. Together with NetApp, they’re shaping the future of intelligent manufacturing—delivering smarter, greener solutions for a better tomorrow.