Anand Mahindra’s humble response to product criticism goes viral, showcasing leadership philosophy behind Mahindra’s rise to India’s No. 2 automaker with BE 6e and XEV 9e EVs.
Picture this: The chairman of India’s second-largest passenger vehicle maker gets criticized publicly about his company’s products. How would most billionaire bosses react? With defensiveness? Legal notices? Radio silence? Anand Mahindra chose something refreshingly different—genuine humility and transparent acknowledgment.
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Anand Mahindra: The Viral Exchange That Won Hearts
When an X user criticized Mahindra’s service quality and product designs after the BE 6e and XEV 9e launch, commenting that buyers “don’t study and research” and calling the designs “gobar kinda,” most expected corporate defensiveness.
Instead, Anand Mahindra responded: “You’re right, Sushant. We have a long way to go. But please consider how far we have come. When I joined the company in 1991, the economy had just been opened up. A global consulting firm strongly advised us to exit the car business since we had no chance, in their view”.
Harsh Goenka called it a “Masterclass in reacting to an irate customer”. The measured response revealed leadership philosophy rarely seen in corporate India—acknowledging criticism while highlighting journey over destination.
Mahindra’s Customer-First Philosophy
This humility isn’t performative. It’s embedded in Mahindra’s success story. When the new Thar launched in November 2020, waiting lists stretched for months. Buyers such as techies, women drivers, and families who had never considered the brand before queued for test drives.
The response validated Mahindra’s transformation from utility-first to desire-first brand—a shift requiring humble listening to market needs rather than imposing legacy perceptions.
Electric Revolution Built on Humility
Mahindra’s electric vehicle ambitions reflect similar philosophy. The company committed over ₹12,000 crore to its ‘Born Electric’ programme and developed the electric-origin INGLO platform that debuted with XEV 9e and BE 6e.
“We were convinced we needed a born-electric platform that would deliver a vehicle far better than one adapted from ICE vehicles,” says Group CEO Anish Shah. “That single decision turned an experiment into conviction”.
This willingness to start from scratch—abandoning the easier path of adapting existing platforms—demonstrates organizational humility at scale.
From No. 2 to Leader
The results speak volumes. M&M’s revenue rose from ₹74,277.78 crore in 2020–21 to ₹1,59,211 crore in 2024–25, while profit after tax from continuing operations quadrupled from ₹3,347 crore to ₹12,929 crore.
Mahindra overtook Hyundai to become India’s second-largest passenger vehicle maker—the first Indian manufacturer achieving this feat. The BE 6e and XEV 9e now lead India’s 500km+ range electric SUV revolution.
Leadership Lessons
Netizens were impressed: “It is heartening to see you take the criticism to fuel the hunger,” said one X user. “What a heart-warming reply Anand ji. Way to go. India needs to support such level-headed proprietors and brands with grit and iron will”.
In an era where corporate leaders often prioritize image over substance, Mahindra’s response offers a masterclass: genuine humility, transparent acknowledgment, and unwavering commitment to improvement beat defensive posturing every time.
Stay updated on Mahindra’s EV journey at IndiaEVNews.com and explore Mahindra’s electric SUV lineup.
FAQs
Q1: How did Anand Mahindra respond to criticism of Mahindra products? Anand Mahindra acknowledged the criticism gracefully, saying “You’re right…we have a long way to go” while highlighting the company’s journey from 1991 when consultants advised exiting the car business. His humble response went viral for demonstrating genuine leadership over corporate defensiveness.
Q2: What are Mahindra’s latest electric vehicles? Mahindra launched the BE 6e and XEV 9e electric SUVs built on the INGLO platform, offering over 500km range, 0-100 km/h in under 7 seconds, and fast charging from 20-80% in under 20 minutes with 175 kW chargers starting at ₹18.90 lakh and ₹21.90 lakh respectively.
Q3: How has Mahindra’s business grown recently? Mahindra’s revenue grew from ₹74,278 crore (2020-21) to ₹1,59,211 crore (2024-25) while profit quadrupled from ₹3,347 crore to ₹12,929 crore. The company overtook Hyundai to become India’s second-largest passenger vehicle maker, ending Hyundai’s 17-year hold on that position.
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