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An Indian auto-rickshaw has caught attention after Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra shared a video showing a Mahindra rickshaw driving on a UK road.
Mahindra shared the video on X on October 5 and wrote in Gujarati, “UK ma riksha aavi gai chhe… Mahindra ni chhe, aapda,” which roughly translates to, “A rickshaw has arrived in the UK. It is Mahindra’s. It is ours.” He also mentioned that the vehicle was imported into the UK by a hobbyist.
The sight of an Indian auto-rickshaw in London quickly drew reactions online, with users joking about familiar Indian auto culture and calling the sight “reverse colonisation.”
Auto-rickshaws are a common sight on Indian roads, but seeing one operating on a British road is unusual. The video shared by Anand Mahindra shows the three-wheeler travelling through London, creating a familiar yet unexpected sight for Indian viewers.
According to Mahindra, the Mahindra three-wheeler was brought to the UK by a hobbyist. The post also prompted users to joke about bringing familiar Indian auto-rickshaw practices, including fare negotiations and the “meter se chalo” culture, to British roads.
The Mahindra rickshaw seen in the video is not the company’s first three-wheeler to reach the UK. Mahindra has exported electric three-wheelers to international markets, including the Mahindra Treo and Mahindra Treo Zor.
The Mahindra Treo is an electric passenger three-wheeler, while the Treo Zor is an electric cargo three-wheeler designed for last-mile transportation.
Mahindra’s electric three-wheelers have therefore already established an international footprint, making the appearance of a Mahindra rickshaw on UK roads part of a wider overseas presence.
The unusual sight prompted several users to connect the rickshaw with everyday Indian experiences. Some referred to the appearance as “reverse colonisation,” while others joked about familiar phrases and decorations commonly seen on Indian auto-rickshaws.
The reactions highlight the contrast between the vehicle’s everyday role in India and its unusual appearance on a London road.
The Mahindra rickshaw spotted in the UK offers a glimpse into the growing international presence of Indian three-wheelers. While this particular vehicle was imported by a hobbyist, Mahindra has already taken electric three-wheelers such as the Treo and Treo Zor to overseas markets.
An Indian auto-rickshaw on a London road may be an unusual sight, but Mahindra’s three-wheeler business has already moved beyond the Indian market.
