Competition is set to increase in the crowded compact SUV space, with Mahindra & Mahindra on Thursday launching its first offering in the segment with the battletank inspired TUV 300. Anand Mahindra, chairman, launched the aggressively priced vehicle, starting at Rs 6.9 lakh, for the entry level variant and going up to Rs 9.12 lakh. It will be the first-of-its-kind in the segment as it will offer both automatic manual transmission and anti-lock braking systems along with dual airbags for all three variants.
Mahindra has decided to stay clear of the monocoque SUV and decided to reinforce its hold on the chassis-based SUV targeting true-blue SUV lovers. Mahindra said the future of the automotive industry is changing with the advent of Olas and Ubers where owning vehicles is not priority and transportation becomes a commodity. “In such a scenario people will be buying vehicles they love and Mahindra has a range that will continue to the appeal to customers,” he said. The TUV 300 will be manufactured at the Chakan plant. The company right now has capacity to manufacture 5,000 units of the vehicle a month.
