Moving ahead with its aspiration of emerging as a global SUV player, Anand Mahindra-led M&M on Thursday launched the
XUV500. unveiled the much awaited Mahindra XUV500
in Pune. Developed completely in-house, the vehicle is its first product from its global sports utility vehicle (SUV) platform. The XUV500 will be
available in three variants in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai from October 1.
The XUV500, is Mahindra's biggest product initiative after the 2002 launch of the Scorpio, a product that had redefined the company's standing in the Indian passenger vehicle market and helped it emerge as a mainline brand beyond rural and semi-urban markets. The company has gone in for a very aggressive pricing for the 2.2-liter diesel engine SUV, tagging its entry variant at
Rs 10.8 lakh and the top-end at Rs 12.88 lakh (both ex-showroom Delhi).
The product - that will be
launched in South Africa on Friday - would be Mahindra's first international offering since it lost its ambitious bid for Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) in 2008 to fellow Indian company Tata Motors. "The XUV500 is a strong and bold step towards our aspiration of becoming a global SUV player," Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman and MD of the utility vehicle major, said.
