New Delhi, NFAPost: In continuation of its strategic intent to grow its presence in the shared mobility space, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) announced that it has entered into definitive agreements with shareholders of Meru Travel Solutions Private Limited (Meru) to buy their respective stakes in Meru.
It would acquire 44.14% shares from Private Equity investor, True North and others for an amount not exceeding Rs. 76.03 crores and 12.66% shares from Neeraj Gupta and Farhat Gupta, for an amount not exceeding Rs 21.63 crores. With this arrangement, M&M will enhance its current shareholding in Meru from 43.20% to 100%.
Meru Cabs, a ridesharing company founded in 2006 revolutionized the way people travelled in cabs by offering AC cabs at their doorstep with a single call.
Ride-hail segment
Today, Meru has a significant presence in the airport transfer business, operating in the ride-hail segment and providing employee transportation services to corporates in India.
Meru founder CEO and Whole Time Director Neeraj Guptaand its subsidiary company Meru Mobility Tech Private Limited and Director of two other Meru subsidiaries – V-Link Automotive Services Private Limited and V-Link Fleet Solutions Private Limited will be stepping down effective close of business hours of 30th April, 2021. Neeraj Gupta will continue as an employee until June 30, 2021.
Pravin Shah, who was earlier President Automotive, M&M till March 2017 will be the CEO of Meru and its subsidiary companies, with effect from May 1, 2021.
Scalable business
Commenting on the acquisition, Mahindra Group MD and CEO Anish Shah said at the outset, he would like to thank Neeraj Gupta and the team at Meru for building a pioneering brand in the shared mobility space in India.
“Our association with Meru is built on our compelling strategy to scale our shared mobility businesses. Pravin has agreed to take this critical responsibility of the business and to develop sustainable and scalable business strategies,” said Anish Shah.
Expressing happiness over the development, Neeraj Gupta said the last two decades in the mobility industry, building Meru to become a household name in the country has been exhilarating.
Renewable energy
“The time is right for me to pursue newer interests and handover Meru in the safe hands of the Mahindra Group, one of the finest corporate houses in the country. Under the able leadership of Dr. Anish Shah, I am confident that Meru will rise to greater heights in the times to come,” said Neeraj Gupta
The Mahindra Group is a $ 19.4 billion federation of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity, enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities.
The Group enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world’s largest tractor company by volume. It also enjoys a strong presence in renewable energy, agribusiness, logistics and real estate development. Headquartered in India, Mahindra employs over 2,56,000 people across 100 countries.
