Mahindra deal with IIT Madras-incubated firm luxury camper trucks; eyes major tourism sector presence
Mahindra-Campervan deal to make budget-friendly campers to cater to caravan tourism segment
Campervan Factory, an IIT Madras-incubated, research-based caravan manufacturing company has been chosen by Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd as it gets set to launch budget-friendly luxury campers in India. The campervans, based on the double-cab Bolero Camper Gold platform, will cater to the self-drive tourism segment that is gaining popularity in the country. This is the first time that an Indian automotive OEM has ventured into the caravan segment in India.
Mahindra and Mahindra, as part of the agreement, will introduce innovative campervan designs and models in India that match international standards. These will be developed with assistance from IIT Madras Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development Centre (AMTDC), International Centre for Clean Water (ICCW) for water management and waste disposal solutions and Saint Gobain Research Centre for their expertise in glazed solutions.
Mahindra deal to add muscle to travel industry
Mahindra’s entry into this segment fulfils the requirements of travel enthusiasts for whom the open road is the destination and those who want to enjoy the outdoors in complete freedom.
Bolero Camper Gold luxury camper trucks will come with all modern conveniences for safe, comfortable and enjoyable travel, at an affordable cost. Our alliance with Campervan Factory to produce these high-quality yet rugged camper trucks will be a boon for India’s travel and tourism industry to cater to a new class of adventure seekers and adds a new source and RoI to business operations, said Harish Lalchandani, VP- Marketing, Mahindra Automotive.
The Mahindra Bolero Gold Camper luxury camper trucks will sport a range of facilities, including smart water solutions, beautifully designed fittings and comfortable interiors to cater to all travellers.
Each camper truck will offer sleeping facility for four, sitting and dining facility for four, a restroom fitted with a bio-toilet and a shower, a complete kitchen with mini-fridge and microwave, an air-conditioner (optional), and a complete multimedia experience, including television and other conveniences.
Being introduced as extremely pocket-friendly, the caravans will be easy to operate and drive, and won’t require special driving skills. This feature would make it easy for tour operators to rent these caravans out as self-drive campers. This will also be beneficial for tourists as it will provide them with privacy and safety.
Various states eye major growth in caravan tourism
The Bolero Camper Gold double-truck which forms the base for these campers offers its reliability, performance, efficiency, ruggedness and capability to handle the toughest of terrains. According to K M Vandhan, Director, Campervan Factory, the new development can be a major shot in the arm for the Indian caravan market and will change the very dynamics of holidaying in India. Caravan tourism is a blessing for the sector, especially given the effects of the pandemic.
Caravan Tourism has found favour from various state governments and they have announced many initiatives to support the industry, like the establishment of Caravan Parks. Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and many others have already announced caravan policies and are promoting it extensively. Many other state governments are expected to announce their Caravan Tourism programme soon.
