Auburn Hills’ Mahindra Automotive North America Evaluating Flint Location for New Plant

Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA) in Auburn Hills, which builds ROXOR off-road work and recreational vehicles, has signed a letter of intent with RACER Trust to evaluate the former Buick City site in Flint for a new manufacturing plant.
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Mahindra Automotive North America Auburn Hills facility
Mahindra Automotive North America is evaluating the former Buick City site in Flint for a new manufacturing plant. Above is the company’s current facility in Auburn Hills. // Photo courtesy of Mahindra Automotive North America

Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA) in Auburn Hills, which builds ROXOR off-road work and recreational vehicles, has signed a letter of intent with RACER Trust to evaluate the former Buick City site in Flint for a new manufacturing plant.

Mahindra’s current facility in Auburn Hills is at capacity, and a significant facility expansion is envisioned to support the manufacture and assembly of new products for the U.S. market.

If Mahindra is awarded the USPS Next Generation Delivery Vehicle contract, the new plant would include production of mail delivery trucks. Mahindra is one of five companies short-listed for the contract award that is expected to be announced later this year.

The plant also would house production for numerous future products that have not been publicly announced. It is projected that the plant will create up to 2,000 jobs over the first five years.

Mahindra also is in discussion with several other states that have suitable sites. Financial incentives available from the state of Michigan will drive the decision of the location of the new plant.

“Winning the USPS contract is a key element of our growth strategy, but it’s only a piece of what we have planned,” says Rick Haas, president and CEO of MANA. “We have a long-term product plan, and we believe the former Buick City site in Flint is a strong contender for what would essentially be Mahindra’s first large-scale manufacturing operation in the United States.”

MANA launched ROXOR production in Auburn Hills in 2018. The facility also serves as its North American corporate headquarters. MANA’s engineering team is leading the development of Mahindra’s next generation global vehicle platform.

“While we’re keeping our options open, we think the former Buick City site in Flint would be a great fit for us,” says Haas. “It’s close to our current facility, which improves overall enterprise efficiency, and the site is one of the oldest manufacturing sites in the United States with a long, storied automotive history.”