International. Mahindra & Mahindra Limited (M&M) recognises MAHLE's innovation in electric vehicles with the "Special Appreciation Award"
MAHLE India was awarded by Mahindra & Mahindra Limited (M&M), one of India's leading automobile manufacturers, with the "Special Appreciation Award" for its Intelligent Thermal Management System (ITMS). This system was specially developed for M&M's first battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform: the XUV 9e and BE 6 models.
The system, designed according to the specific requirements of the regional market, stands out for its intelligent control strategy and advanced software, which optimize the temperature both inside the vehicle and in the battery, as well as the airflow in the cooling module. These innovations have enabled a significant improvement in the energy efficiency of the system, reducing the consumption of the electric compressor by 15% to 20%, without compromising passenger comfort.
Series production of the ITMS began at the end of last year, after a 24-month development process. Its functionalities include intelligent control using advanced algorithms, optimal temperature management, and detection and diagnosis of multiple faults. Many of the thermal system components, such as the ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module, cooling module, controller, and refrigerant pump, are manufactured locally in India.
India is one of the key markets for MAHLE, with a presence of more than six decades. Currently, the company operates 14 facilities in the country, including 11 manufacturing plants and a technology center, and employs about 4,400 people. In this market, MAHLE produces electric drive systems for small vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters and small transports. In 2024 alone, MAHLE India achieved sales of 400 million euros.
The German company plans to significantly expand its research and development activities in India, with the aim of accelerating the adoption of alternative propulsion technologies. It is estimated that by 2030 new registrations of electric vehicles in the country will reach 5.9 million units, driven especially by the growth of electric motorcycles and tricycles.
"I am very proud of our team in India. M&M recognized the excellent cooperation, first-class results and our contributions to the recently launched electric vehicles by M&M," said Jumana Al-Sibai, Member of the Board of Management of the MAHLE Group for Thermal and Fluid Systems. "With this award, MAHLE continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and excellence by offering cutting-edge solutions to its customers."
