In a bid to take on Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue and Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) rolled out the XUV3XO subcompact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) at a starting price of Rs 7.49 lakh (ex-showroom). The top-end trim, which is the AX7 L trim, is priced at Rs 15.49 lakh (ex-showroom).
“The total size of the SUV market last year was about 25 lakhs per annum and about half of that was in the sub four-metre segment at around 12 lakhs (per annum). Within that, out of 50 percent is sub-four metre SUV segment, which we are defining as the relevant target segment,” Rajesh Jejurikar, ED and CEO, auto and farm sectors, M&M.
While the Mumbai-based automaker will open online and offline orders simultaneously from May 15, the deliveries are set to commence from May 26.
“In this six-lakh segment (of subcompact SUVs), which is 25 percent of the market, we are actually the number fifth player. This is a big opportunity for us to disrupt. In the next three years, we target to be number one or two in the subcompact monocoque SUV segment. To plan for this, we have to do something disruptive and that is where the 3XO came in from,” added Jejurikar.
The model will be rolled out from its Nashik facility, where its outgoing version (earlier named XUV 3OO) was also made. The capacity of this facility is 9,000 units per month (including XUV 4OO electric SUV), which will be enhanced to 10,500 units per month in the medium term.
The XUV 3XO will be available with three engine options (2 petrol and 1 diesel) and transmission options will include 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic and a 6-speed AMT. It gets several design changes on the exteriors which includes a panoramic sunroof and updated technology on the inside like level 2 of ADAS (advanced driver assisted system), 26.03 cm infotainment screen, Harman Kardon premium audio among many other things.
Some of the safety features offered include hill descent control, hill hold control, vehicle dynamics control and traction control. R. Velusamy, President, Automotive Technology and Product Development, M&M said, "Built on a durable, well-tested platform, it is engineered to meet the highest global safety standards, including the B-NCAP.”
The sub-four metre SUV was conceptualised at the Mahindra India Design Studio (MIDS) in Mumbai, and engineered and developed at the Mahindra Research Valley (MRV) near Chennai. Mahindra had spent Rs 650 crore for the development of the platform as well as for revamping the production line to build the newly-launched model.
M&M has reconfirmed that XUV 3XO will be its most affordable SUV as it has no plans to relaunch mini-SUV KUV100. According to Jejurikar, any model below the XUV 3XO “does not match its DNA”.
Meanwhile, M&M has reaffirmed that it is the largest sports utility vehicle (SUV) maker in India in terms of revenues, aided by models such as XUV 7OO, Thar, and Scorpio-N.
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