subject: Mahindra Xuv 500 - It's A Steal [print this page] Mahindra seems to have made up its mind to become, the most dominant player in the Indian SUV market.
Nothing else explains its aggressive pricing and over the top features it's offering in the XUV 500.
Customers seems to be lapping it up and dealer salesman are going crazy booking this car. It's been 3 days and no one seems to have had the priviliege of sleeping more than 5 hours daily, the phone refuses to stop ringing.
Everyother car manufacturers seems to be asking only one question - How have they managed this rock bottom pricing?
Whilst some pointers are obvious, like; sharing of platform and engine. Additional savings through front fibre fenders instead of steel. Even after all this the pricing and feature list just don't seem to be add up to such a low figure. In absence of any logic, competitors are now trying to locate the magic wand.
Lets look at what XUV 500 is loaded with:
Externally a great look, almost Jeep like front with rear becomming more curvy.
Automatic Climate Control with Dual HVAC, Touch Screen, DIS, DVD System with 4 speakers and 2 Front Dash Mounted Tweeters, Leather Upholstery, Cruise Control, Voice Activation Command and Lounge Lighting. We sure must have missed some, but then, the listed ones are just too impressive.
The car sure is a fortress - 6 Air bags (Front 2, Side and Curtain), ABS, EBD, ESP, Hill Ascent and Descent Control and Roll Mitigation System, Impact Beams with Crumple Zones and All Disc Brakes. Safety features which only premium luxuruy features buyer are accustomed too. No wonder, Mahindra Showrooms in Delhi are seeing Audi's and Mercs parked outside their showroom.
Rather than how they have managed this pricing, we would like to ask a why?
Common marketing sense would have cautioned them against this move, as this pricing is bound to ensure (mind you ensure) heavy cannibalisation of sales from their most favoured and respected SUV - The Scorpio. A visit to their showroom, is all that is required, to confirm this reality.
We therefore believe, that is just an introductory pricing. Expect it to go north and that too dramatically, as early as Jan 2012, not to forget the mandatory price hikes post Budget. OR The Scorpio is due for Read more
