# Mahindra at 81: From Classic Jeeps to Electric SUVs -- A Vehicle Timeline > Explore Mahindra's 81-year journey with a vehicle timeline, from classic Jeeps and Bolero to Bijlee, e2o and modern electric SUVs. - **Author**: Prakash - **Published**: 2026-10-02 - **Modified**: 2026-10-02 - **Category**: news - **URL**: https://bestev.in/news/mahindra-at-81-from-classic-jeeps-to-electric-suvs-a-vehicle-timeline-20261002 --- **Mahindra completes 81 years on 2 October 2026**, marking a journey that began in 1945 and now includes a growing electric SUV business. From steel trading and assembling Willys Jeeps to developing vehicles around batteries, electric motors and software, the company's history reflects several generations of change in Indian mobility. Its electric chapter also began long before the BE 6 and XEV 9e. Early commercial EVs, the Reva acquisition and compact electric cars helped lay the foundations for the products buyers see today. *Illustration: selected Mahindra vehicles through the years. AI-generated artwork; vehicle details are approximate.* ## Mahindra vehicle timeline: key milestones This timeline highlights important models and events, rather than every vehicle, variant or commercial product the group has produced. - **1945 -- Company founded:** Mahindra & Mohammed begins operations on 2 October. - **1949 -- Willys Jeeps:** Mahindra's historical timeline records 75 Jeep kits assembled at Mazagon, Bombay. - **1999 -- Bijlee:** An early electric passenger three-wheeler explores short-distance transport. - **2000 -- Bolero:** A major name in Mahindra's utility-vehicle story arrives. - **2002 -- Scorpio:** Mahindra adds an influential SUV to its range. - **2010 -- Reva acquisition:** A 55% stake strengthens Mahindra's electric-car capabilities. - **2013 -- e2o:** The compact electric city car launches in March. - **2014 -- Formula E:** Mahindra joins the inaugural electric racing championship as a founding team. - **2020 -- New-generation Thar:** The off-roader gets a major new chapter. - **2021 -- XUV700:** A new SUV joins the portfolio. - **2022 -- Scorpio-N and electric concepts:** Mahindra launches Scorpio-N and previews its next electric SUV direction. - **2023 -- XUV400:** Mahindra launches its electric SUV in January. - **2024 -- Thar ROXX, BE 6 and XEV 9e:** Thar ROXX debuts in August; the two Electric Origin SUVs are unveiled on 26 November. - **2025 -- Electric Origin expansion:** BE 6 and XEV 9e bookings open in February; the three-row XEV 9S joins the electric family later in the year. - **2026 -- XUV 3XO EV and 81 years:** Mahindra adds electric power to the XUV 3XO range and completes 81 years on 2 October. ## Why Mahindra's 81-year milestone matters J.C. Mahindra, K.C. Mahindra and Ghulam Mohammed founded Mahindra & Mohammed on 2 October 1945. The business initially traded steel before expanding into vehicle manufacturing. Its official historical timeline records the assembly of 75 Willys Jeep kits at Mazagon in Bombay in 1949. Over the following decades, utility vehicles, tractors and SUVs became central to its identity. That background provides context for its current EV strategy: the company is bringing electric power to the SUV format that helped establish its automotive business. The anniversary represents **81 years of company history**. Mahindra's work on electric vehicles spans a shorter, but still substantial, period. ## Mahindra's EV journey started with Bijlee in 1999 Mahindra introduced Bijlee in 1999, an electric three-wheeler intended for short-distance passenger transport. This early project explored a use case that remains relevant: replacing fuel-powered journeys where vehicles repeatedly cover predictable local routes. In 2010, Mahindra acquired a 55% stake in Reva Electric Vehicle Company. The move strengthened its electric-car capabilities. The e2o followed in March 2013, bringing a compact battery-powered city car to an Indian market where EVs were still unusual. Later products included the eVerito sedan, eSupro and electric three-wheelers such as Treo. Together, they show that Mahindra's electric ambitions extend beyond private cars to passenger transport and commercial mobility. ## Formula E added an international electric dimension Mahindra became one of Formula E's ten founding teams in 2014. Participation gave its electric ambitions a global motorsport presence, alongside its road-vehicle development. Racing and everyday ownership have different demands, but both place importance on managing energy and extracting performance from electric powertrains. Formula E is therefore a significant part of the company's wider EV story. ## From XUV400 to BE 6 and XEV 9e The XUV400, launched in January 2023, brought Mahindra into the electric SUV segment. A further step came on 26 November 2024 with the unveiling of the BE 6, originally introduced as the BE 6e, and XEV 9e. These SUVs use the dedicated INGLO electric architecture. Designing a platform around an electric drivetrain allows engineers to plan battery placement, cabin packaging and vehicle systems from the beginning. At its January 2025 technology announcement, Mahindra detailed 79 kWh versions with a 210 kW motor. It quoted certified MIDC ranges of 683 km for the BE 6 and 656 km for the XEV 9e, and 20-80% charging in under 20 minutes using a suitable 175 kW DC charger. Those are manufacturer-announced figures for specific versions and conditions. Actual driving range and charging time depend on speed, weather, battery temperature, charger output and other operating conditions. ## More electric choices: XEV 9S and XUV 3XO EV Mahindra's current Electric Origin portfolio also includes the XEV 9S, adding a three-row SUV to the range. Its official website now lists the BE 6 SPORTEQ, XEV 9e and XEV 9S, illustrating how the electric business has developed beyond its original two-model debut. The XUV 3XO EV has also joined the range, with a 39.4 kWh battery and two announced variants, AX5 and AX7L. It extends Mahindra's electric offering into a smaller SUV format. For buyers, the important question is which vehicle suits their daily distance, passenger requirements, parking and charging access. Battery capacity alone does not settle that decision. ## What Mahindra's next chapter must deliver BestEV's view is that Mahindra's next phase will be judged by everyday ownership as much as product launches. Reliable charging, consistent service, clear battery-warranty terms and predictable running costs will influence whether more households choose an EV. At 81, Mahindra connects a long industrial history with a newer electric direction. The journey from classic Jeeps to electric SUVs is already visible; making those SUVs practical for a wider range of Indian buyers will shape the chapter ahead. --- - [More news articles](https://bestev.in/news/category/news) - [All articles](https://bestev.in/news)