Mumbai, Aug. 17 -- The rapid expansion of Chinese carmakers could turn out to be an unlikely tailwind for Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd's global ambitions. Their entry into established markets has made consumers more open to newer brands, while Mahindra's improved safety ratings and cleaner powertrain portfolio are giving it access to markets that were earlier out of reach, a top executive said.

As the company draws up a list of international markets for expansion, Mahindra's automotive division chief executive Nalinikanth Gollagunta tells Mint that it is now able to target geographies it earlier couldn't owing to evolving market dynamics.

He said that the company's improved safety ratings and a cleaner powertrain portfolio have expanded its ...