Ashok Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, on 13 February 2010, inaugurated the Phase I of a greenfield facility set up by Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) at Chakan in Maharashtra.

M&M plans to make its new portfolio of pick-ups, a still-to-be-launched SUV (sports utility vehicle) and its range of medium and heavy trucks made under its association with Navistar Inc, US.

Production of the pick-up Maxximo has already commenced, while that for the trucks is likely to begin in April 2010. M&M has earmarked a total investment of Rs 5,000 crore. While Rs 2,500 crore has already been invested, the remaining is likely to be invested over the span of next 18 months. The project is to be funded through a combination of equity and debt provided by the parent and other group companies

Initially, the 700-acre facility with four assembly lines is expected to make 2,50,000 utility vehicles and 50,000 trucks per annum.

The highlight of the facility is the use of a cluster of 70 solar dishes that will tap the sun's energy for eventual use in the chillers in the paint shop. This will reduce the consumption of LPG by 1,500 tonne and that of electricity by 1.8 lakh units per annum, and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 3,500 tonne at full volume.

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