M&M Launches XUV 500 SUV

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd(M&M) launched its new sport-utility vehicle, the XUV500, at an introductory price between Rs 10.8 lakh and Rs 11.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). In the Indian market, the SUV will be first available in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Pune. In the next six months, it will be introduced in overseas – in Australia, South and Central America, Western Europe and SAARC countries

“This product has been designed keeping the global markets in mind and will help our exports extensively," Pawan Goenka, president of Mahindra's automotive division, said. "In the next six to eight months, we will decide on the phase-wise introduction in various global markets”, Goenka added.

The SUV, developed by a team of 200 engineers, is the most expensive offering by M&M so far. The base model, called the W6, is priced at Rs. 10.8 lakh while the W8 variant sports a price tag of Rs. 11.95 lakh. The high end W8 4x4 (four wheel drive) variant is priced at Rs. 12.88 lakh.

The XUV500 in India will likely be pitched against the top-end versions of Tata Motors Ltd.'s Safari and Aria models, Skoda Auto India's Yeti models, and Force Motors Ltd.'s recently introduced Force One SUV.