June 27, 2012, Brisbane: Indian automobile and tractor manufacturer, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. - a part of the USD 15.4 billion Mahindra Group - has joined forces with rising V8 Supercar star, Scott McLaughlin. Mahindra will support McLaughlin for remainder of the 2012 Dunlop Series, with Mahindra branding to feature prominently on McLaughlin’s Fujitsu Racing Falcon.

Mahindra Ag & Auto Australia is a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, established in 1947 and now India’s largest manufacturer of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and the world’s highest-volume manufacturer of tractors. Mahindra’s dealer network across Australia consists of over 70 dealers in both the automotive and agricultural segments.

After very successfully stepping up to V8 Supercars from karting only two years ago, 19-year old McLaughlin is currently second in the Dunlop Series points standings. McLaughlin recently won the last race and round in Perth last month and in doing so set a new record as the youngest ever winner of a Dunlop Series round.

Mahindra’s sponsorship of McLaughlin comes with perfect timing. Earlier this month, he dominated the final Sprint round of the NZ V8 SuperTourer series in Hampton Downs, winning all three races and setting three fastest laps and pole position. McLaughlin is delighted to have his recent on-track success rewarded by Mahindra’s support.

The next event in the Dunlop Series - and the first for Mahindra as a partner of Scott McLaughlin - will be the Sucrogen Townsville 400 on July 7-9.

“It’s fantastic to partner with a quality brand like Mahindra which is one of the biggest companies in India and steadily growing its presence in Australia. I’m proud to represent a new brand in V8 Supercars, and I hope our partnership will be a very successful one. So far it has been a great season, and with Mahindra’s support I am confident it can only get better as we aim to win the Dunlop Series this year,” said McLaughlin.

“Scott has already shown a great deal of promise as a young driver in V8 Supercar and we are incredibly proud to support him in his goals. As the youngest driver to win a Dunlop Series/V8 Supercar round, Scott embodies Mahindra’s corporate Rise philosophy of Accepting No Limits and I’m sure he will go on to reach new heights in V8 Supercar,” said Mr. Pradeep Kumar Tyagi Vice President of Foreign Operations, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

This partnership may represent the Mahindra Group’s first foray into motorsport in Australia but globally, it already has a footprint in this arena. Mahindra Racing competes in the FIM MotoGP™ World Motorcycle Racing Championship in the Moto3 category, as well as the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship in the 125GP class where it became the first team from India to win an international motor sports event.

Mahindra USA which sells Mahindra tractors in the US market has recently renewed and expanded its sponsorship of NASCAR Canadian Tire Series driver, DJ Kennington of DJK Racing and the No. 17 Dodge team for the fourth consecutive year. In 2010, DJ Kennington won the Canadian Tire Series.

The Mahindra Group is one of India’s leading business houses. It is a federation of companies with a presence in various sectors of the Indian economy, including automobiles, aerospace, agriculture, defence, energy, logistics, IT and real estate. The Group also has a controlling interest in Korea’s SsangYong Motor Company.

About The Mahindra Group

The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology and vacation ownership. Mahindra has a presence in the automotive industry, agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheelers. 

A USD 15.4 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 144,000 people in over 100 countries.

In 2011, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. Dun & Bradstreet also ranked Mahindra at No. 1 in the automobile sector in its list of India’s Top 500 Companies. In 2010, Mahindra featured in the Credit Suisse Great Brands of Tomorrow.

In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea’s SsangYong Motor Company.

For further information, please visit www.mahindra.com / www.mahindra.com.au

Connect with us on www.facebook.com/mahindragroup

For further information please contact:

Ms. Roma Balwani

Senior Vice President & Group Head, Corporate Communications

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.                                        

Phone: (+91-22) 2490 1441                                       

Fax: (+91-22) 2490 0830                                                      

Email: balwani.roma@mahindra.com