Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, the country's utility vehicle manufacturer, is believed to be upping the ante against other auto makers who are eyeing its share in the Indian auto market. The company is set to roll out a number of new models across different segments, in order to curb the rising popularity of models like Renault Duster, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the upcoming Ford EcoSport. As per reports, Mahindra & Mahindra could drive in as many as three new off-roading capable Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in the Indian auto market by the 2015-16 financial year. Apart from the new model launches, the company would roll out facelift versions of its popular vehicles, including a revamp of its flagship Scorpio SUV soon in the country.
At present, Mahindra & Mahindra's share in the utility vehicle segment of Indian auto market is facing stiff competition from the likes of Duster and Ertiga, which is anticipated to get fierce once Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan and Toyota bring their own models. The country's largest utility vehicle manufacturer is well aware of the fact and is therefore, eager to augment its domestic product portfolio. As per reports, the company is working on two different vehicle platforms, of which one would be developed by its South Korean subsidiary SsangYong Motor Company. The models developed from these platforms are expected to be priced below Rs. 10 lakh and would sit below the company's Scorpio model in the market. Apart from the new vehicle platforms, Mahindra & Mahindra and SsangYong are jointly developing six powertrains with varying displacements.
Over the next two to three years, the utility vehicle maker would roll out both SUVs and Multi purpose Vehicles (MPVs) powered by the newly developed motors in the Indian auto market. Speaking his mind on the same, Pravin Shah, Chief executive Officer (CEO), Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, was quoted as saying, “Currently six engines of different horsepowers and different fuels, including petrol and diesel, are being developed with SsangYong.”
As per reports, Mahindra & Mahindra is eyeing at the compact utility vehicle segment for enhancing its current share in the Indian auto market. Therefore, more compact SUV and MPV models are expected to be rolled out from Mahindra's manufacturing facilities in the near future. Speaking on the company's upcoming new models, Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, said, “We will have more smaller vehicles, more compact vehicles.”
