Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu loved driving this auto, has ideas for Anand Mahindra

Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu tried out the Mahindra Treo autorickshaw. (Image credit: Photo tweeted by @svembu)

Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu on Sunday tried out the Mahindra Treo electric autorickshaw. The billionaire called it a “practical commute vehicle” and said he “loved driving it around”. He, however, listed a few suggestions and tagged Mahindra group chief, Anand Mahindra.

Pointing out the specs of the electric vehicle (EV), which runs at a speed of 55 km/hour and has a range of 125 km/hr on full charge, Vembu said it is a “serious upgrade”.

Vembu said the Mahindra Treo electric autorickshaw, with a take-home price of under Rs. 3.5 lakh, is an affordable family vehicle.

1/ Yesterday I got my new@MahindraElctrc Treo electric auto. This one is a serious upgrade - capable of 55 km/hour speed and a range of 125 km on a full charge. That makes it a practical commute vehicle and I love driving it around!

I have some suggestions @anandmahindra pic.twitter.com/XyWBLJyv8l

— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) December 6, 2021

“With volumes, prices can come down,” he said.

“Design can make this a really cool vehicle. When I drive my auto on rural roads, people ask me where to get one.”

The Zoho chief urged Anand Mahindra to introduce the three-wheeler in different designs and colours, with family and child-friendly options.

3/ @anandmahindra

Please offer a variety of designs and colors on the electric auto line. Offer family and kid friendly options.

Come up with a cool marketing campaign to popularize these low-cost electric vehicles.

I see great potential for them. I love driving one!

— Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) December 6, 2021

“Please offer a variety of designs and colors on the electric auto line. Offer family and kid friendly options. Come up with a cool marketing campaign to popularize these low-cost electric vehicles. I see great potential for them. I love driving one,” Sridhar Vembu said in this Twitter thread.

Mahindra responded to Vembu's suggestions hours later, saying his company's Chief Design Officer, Pratap Bose, is already on the job. I’m so delighted with your tweet @svembu because you’re preaching to the converted!" Mahindra, 66, said.

2) At global fora including Davos ‘19 I’ve said that futuristically styled, ‘cool’ e-tuktuks (3W) could well be the preferred mode of commuting in western city-centres. Our design head @BosePratap is already on the job. So pleased you’re a brand ambassador for this movement!(2/2)

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) December 6, 2021

Mahindra and Mahindra is the market leader in the electric three-wheeler category from the organised space. The Mumbai-based company has made the maximum investments, of around Rs 1,000 crore, in the EV space, compared to any other company in India. In the next three years, the company has committed Rs. 3,000 crore investment in the overall EV space.