Mahindra and Mahindra's new global SUV to hit roads by end Dec

Mumbai: Auto major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) today said it will launch its new global sport utility vehicle in the domestic market and South Africa by December end. The company has christened its new model XUV 500, which is Mahindra’s first global SUV offering significant inputs in development from customers across the globe. “We plan to sell the XUV 500 in India and South Africa before its introduction in other global markets. I am confident that the XUV 500 will follow the footsteps of its illustrious predecessors to evolve into an iconic brand,” M&M president for Automotive and Farm Equipment Business, Pawan Goenka, told reporters here. [caption id=“attachment_75420” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The Mahindra Scorpio (for representational purposes). The company will launch its first global SUV in December. Reuters”]  [/caption] The auto giant will manufacture the new SUV at its Chakan plant near Pune, Goenka said. Besides South Africa, the company also targets Europe, Africa, Australia and Latin America markets for this model. “We will target some other markets also. The starting price of the XUV 500 would be between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20 lakh,” he said. However, Goenka, did not reveal details on the new product. The company plans to utilise Ssanyong Motor global distribution network for the new SUV to tap the market. On competition, he said, “we have not done well in our August sales we expected in June and July months. The decline in sales last month was due to stiff competition and entry of new players into the market.” PTI