Mahindra & Mahindra , a leading Indian automotive manufacturer, has reported a significant 60% increase in retail SUV sales, showcasing the company's strong performance in the highly competitive automotive sector. This growth comes alongside strategic changes in the company's board structure and plans for expanding its electric vehicle (EV) portfolio.

Robust SUV Sales Growth

The company's impressive sales growth is attributed to two key factors:

1. Portfolio Expansion: Mahindra & Mahindra has been actively broadening its SUV lineup, catering to diverse consumer preferences.
2. GST 2.0 Policy Benefits: The implementation of the new GST policy has created a more favorable environment for automotive sales.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO of Mahindra & Mahindra, highlighted that the growth stems from renewed consumer enthusiasm and improved accessibility of SUVs in the mid and entry-level segments. The company has taken a consumer-friendly approach by passing on the full GST benefits to customers, effectively countering price sensitivity arising from raw material volatility.

Changing Consumer Behavior

Mahindra & Mahindra has observed notable shifts in buyer behavior:

• Customers are increasingly opting for higher variants of vehicles.
• There's a trend of consumers upgrading from hatchbacks to SUVs, indicating a preference for larger, more feature-rich vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Strategy

In line with the growing focus on sustainable transportation, Mahindra & Mahindra is set to launch a new electric vehicle in November. This move is supported by positive momentum in the EV segment, with Vahan registrations reaching 14,000 units in September.

Alternative Powertrains

While exploring various powertrain options, Mahindra & Mahindra has decided to keep CNG as a non-priority. This decision aligns with the company's 'power on tap' philosophy, suggesting a focus on performance-oriented vehicles.

Festive Season Outlook

The company is optimistic about the upcoming festive season:

• Strong footfalls observed during Navratri
• Positive expectations for the approaching Diwali season

These factors contribute to Mahindra & Mahindra's anticipation of continued momentum in sales during the festive period.

Board Restructuring

In a significant move to strengthen its corporate governance, Mahindra & Mahindra has announced key appointments to its board:

1. Ms. Samina Hamied: Appointed as an Additional Director (Independent and Non-Executive) effective from 7th October 2025. Her term is set for five consecutive years, subject to shareholder approval.

2. Mr. Muthu Raju Paravasa Raju Vijay Kumar: Also appointed as an Additional Director (Independent and Non-Executive) from 7th October 2025, with a five-year term pending shareholder approval.

3. Ms. Shikha Sharma: Appointed as the Lead Independent Director of the company, effective 6th October 2025.

These appointments bring diverse expertise to Mahindra & Mahindra's board, with Ms. Hamied's background in the healthcare industry and Mr. Kumar's extensive experience in finance and accounting.

Conclusion

Mahindra & Mahindra's robust performance in the SUV segment, coupled with its strategic moves in the EV market and board restructuring, positions the company strongly in the evolving automotive landscape. As the festive season approaches, the company appears well-prepared to capitalize on the positive market sentiment and consumer demand.

Several leading Indian IT companies have scheduled their board meetings to announce second quarter results. The announcements come as the sector prepares to share its performance amidst evolving market conditions.

Key Dates and Details

Corporate Governance and Investor Relations

In line with regulatory requirements and best practices in corporate governance, all the mentioned companies have implemented trading window restrictions for designated persons around their result announcements. This measure aims to prevent insider trading and ensure fair disclosure of information to all stakeholders.

Investor Engagement

To provide further insights into their financial performance and business outlook, these IT firms plan to hold earnings calls with analysts and investors following their results announcements. These calls typically offer an opportunity for market participants to gain deeper understanding of the company's strategies, challenges, and future prospects.

The IT sector's quarterly results are often viewed as indicators of broader economic trends, particularly in terms of global technology spending and outsourcing dynamics. As such, these announcements are likely to be closely watched by investors, industry analysts, and market observers for insights into the health of India's IT services industry and its global competitiveness.

Investors and stakeholders are advised to refer to the official communications from respective companies for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding their financial results and related corporate actions.

Kotak Mahindra Bank's Q2 Performance

In related financial news, Kotak Mahindra Bank shares gained 1.70% to Rs 2,138.00 following the release of provisional financial figures for the September quarter. The bank reported significant growth across key metrics:

• Average total deposits grew 14.40% year-on-year to Rs 5,10,138.00 crore
• Total deposits at quarter-end reached Rs 5,28,776.00 crore, a 14.60% annual increase
• Average net advances increased 14.60% year-on-year to Rs 4,47,809.00 crore
• Net advances at quarter-end stood at Rs 4,62,552.00 crore, reflecting 15.80% annual growth
• CASA balances reached Rs 2,23,791.00 crore at quarter-end, up 11.20% from the previous year

ICICI Securities maintained a 'buy' rating on the stock, anticipating strong quarterly results. This positive performance by Kotak Mahindra Bank adds to the overall financial sector outlook as the earnings season approaches.