M&M may launch India's smallest SUV at below Rs 6 lakh

This move has to be seen in the context of Mahindra’s ambition to be an end to end SUV player, having a product at every price point.  In the Rs 9-13 lakh category it has got its flag-ship brands like the Scorpio, Bolero, Xylo and now the XUV.

Apart from that in the premium category, following the acquisition of Ssangyong it can also introduce products at a higher price point.

Now it seems the strategy is really to address the price point of sub Rs 6 lakh. The company is already working on a compact Xylo which is likely to be launched by the end of this fiscal. But this move of introducing a micro-SUV is really bold because this is a segment that has not been seen so far in the country. Sources say, once it is launched it should hit the roads by the end of 2013. If that happens, it would be the smallest SUV in the country.

Sources also add that M&M is going to invest in making a new platform for this car. The designs of which have only been very selectively shared with some vendors. So, the company is being very hushed about this whole project.

The company, however, has refused to comment.