Mahindra AI Programme Expands With 19 Proprietary AI Models

Mahindra AI Programme Advances Automotive Innovation

Mahindra & Mahindra detailed its Mahindra AI Programme during its first-quarter results briefing in Mumbai, highlighting the company’s progress in artificial intelligence deployment across business operations. Managing director and chief executive Anish Shah said the group has developed 19 proprietary AI models, trained more than 1,900 employees through an internal academy and operates over 15 major AI projects supported by more than 50 AI engineers and specialists. The initiative reflects the company’s focus on becoming a technology leader across its operating industries.

The artificial intelligence programme has been under development for around two years, although public disclosure started only in May. In the automotive division, AI applications are being integrated into customer engagement, service operations, manufacturing processes and vehicle development activities. The company stated that adoption by process owners remains a key factor behind successful implementation, with practical business outcomes and customer experience improvements guiding the evaluation of each AI project.

AI Applications Across Automotive Operations

Within the automotive business, AI agents generated more than 91,000 test drive bookings over a period of three to four months. Shah said these represented customers the company likely would not have reached otherwise. In service operations, approximately 2,600 workshop employees are using AI assistants for diagnosis support, achieving an adoption rate of 85 percent. These systems are designed to improve troubleshooting efficiency and support technicians in delivering faster customer service experiences across the company’s vehicle network.

Manufacturing applications have also delivered measurable improvements. At the paint shop, first-time buy-off performance reached 90.6 percent during the pre-treatment and electro-coating stage. The improvement helped reduce paint consumption, minimise rework requirements and increase production efficiency. At its manufacturing facilities, including operations near Pune, employees have also shared examples of how AI tools are being applied in daily processes, showing the importance of workforce adoption alongside technology deployment.

AI Impact On Product Development And Future Plans

In product development, AI-based software has reduced vehicle drag coefficient prediction time to approximately two minutes compared with more than 10 hours previously. The improvement supports faster aerodynamic evaluation during vehicle engineering activities. However, the company has not yet quantified the overall impact of AI on development timelines or confirmed how much it could reduce electric vehicle programme durations compared with global benchmarks.

Shah said the company is observing meaningful impact across product development and intends to share broader results in the future. He explained that the disclosed initiatives represent only a portion of the wider AI activities underway. The company continues evaluating projects based on financial performance improvements and customer experience benefits rather than technology adoption alone. The approach demonstrates a gradual expansion of artificial intelligence capabilities across India’s automotive ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mahindra’s AI initiative focused on?
The initiative focuses on using artificial intelligence models and tools across automotive operations, manufacturing, customer engagement and product development processes. Mahindra has developed proprietary AI models, trained employees and launched multiple projects supported by specialised teams. The company aims to improve efficiency, enhance customer experience and create technology-driven advantages across its businesses. The programme also highlights the importance of employee adoption and measurable business outcomes while expanding AI applications.