Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, has once again captured the internet’s admiration with his poised and thoughtful response to criticism.
This time, the spotlight is on his reaction to a critical post on X (formerly Twitter), where a user urged him to address “ground level issues” with Mahindra’s vehicles before aiming for “sky high shallow aspirations.”
The post, shared by user Sushant Mehta, came shortly after Mahindra unveiled its two new electric vehicles, the BE 6e and XEV 9e. In his now-deleted post, Mehta accused Mahindra of prioritizing aesthetics over substance, claiming that its vehicles were designed for people who “don’t study and research.”
He further lambasted the designs of the new EV models, predicting they would become “eyesores in a couple of months.”
Mehta also raised concerns about issues with Mahindra’s existing cars, service centers, spare parts, and employee behavior. Despite his harsh tone, Mehta clarified that his criticism stemmed from his hope that Indian brands like Mahindra and Tata could rival global automotive giants like Maruti and Hyundai.
Anand Mahindra’s Response
Anand Mahindra responded with a mix of humility and determination, sharing a screenshot of the deleted post. “You’re right, Sushant. We have a long way to go,” he acknowledged.
Mahindra then recounted the challenges faced by the company when he joined in 1991, during the early days of India’s liberalized economy. At the time, a global consultancy firm had advised Mahindra to exit the car business, deeming it uncompetitive. “Three decades later, we are still around and competing fiercely,” he wrote, highlighting the company’s resilience and growth.
He admitted that the company still has “miles to go” and reaffirmed Mahindra’s commitment to continuous improvement, stating that “there is no room for any complacency.”