Mahindra is silently working on upgrading the Xylo for an early 2012 launch. We have presented a picture of the car’s rear and suggested changes to make the Xylo a better long-distance vehicle. From the platform perspective, Mahindra is not missing even one opportunity.
It has three versions of the Genio (two for domestic market with cost-down body, and an export variant), two engine options and a handful of variants on the passenger model, and a mini Xylo in the pipeline.
See more spyshots of the Mahindra Xylo 4WD version
If you thought all possibilities were exhausted, check this out – A 4WD Xylo powered by the mHawk engine (2.2-liter familiar to Scorpio fans) spied in Pune. Is Mahindra testing the vehicle for a 2012 launch? Or is this like the deluxe edition of the Xylo pickup exclusive to foreign markets? We don’t know yet but we’ll pose these questions to Mahindra at the Auto Expo next week.
Mahindra’s segment-redefining compact Xylo has been caught yet again testing in Pune by our friends at Anything-On-Wheels. The sub-4 meter hatchback is the first diesel small car to have two rows of MPV comfort. Features in IAB’s wishlist for the mini Xylo are auto climate control, steering-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth pairing, MP3/USB-compatible audio player, ABS, front airbags, responsive engine and 18+kmpl mileage.
It will not win Mahindra any beauty contests, but the value-for-money factor will compensate for any visual nuisances. There is a big market for the car in the taxicab circuit.
Mahindra has left out the compact Xylo from the Auto Expo show cars but sometime in 2012, the vehicle will be launched. The highlight of any Mahindra launch is the moment of price announcement. If Mahindra can start the mini Xylo at 4.5 lakh rupees, it can be the XUV500 equivalent of the B+ hatchback segment.
Our friends at TheAutoMotiveIndia are back in action snagging an undisguised mule of the Mahindra Xylo refresh.
The sole shot of the rear exposes new clear lens tail lights. Blacked out pillars and plastic trim traveling along the wheel arch into the step plate are new additions. Mahindra is likely to reskin parts of the front and slip in features like steering-mounted controls. The new model could be shown either at Auto Expo next month, coinciding with the Xylo’s third anniversary, or in the months to follow.
Mahindra has announced that at Auto Expo in Delhi next month, it will display Ssangyong products Rexton and Korando, an electric Verito, and the electric two-door Reva NXR. It has not used the word “launch” in the press release so we assume that this will be a preview of these future products.
The company has not attached photographs of any of the vehicles. But IAB readers have already seen Ssangyong vehicles in the form of spyshots while they were being tested and acclimatize to Indian conditions.
See spyshots of the Ssangyong Rexton
We’ll have to hold on till the unveiling ceremony for a glimpse of the new models. Mahindra had sanctioned an electric Maxximo to haul exhibition items at last year’s show. A top official recently informed IndianAutosBlog.com that integration of REVA’s electric technology into Mahindra products is underway. We recently spied a production-ready REVA-powered Gio Compact Cab EV as well.
With high growth in the South East Asian markets such as Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, M&M has reportedly decided to establish an assembly plant in one of those countries. According to reports, the assembly plant is likely to offer products ranging from M&M’s utility vehicles to pick-ups, Ssangyong SUVs, Mahindra tractors, along with products from Chinese tractor joint ventures Jiangling & Yeuda Tractors.
Currently, M&M exports vehicles to that region and is aiming to expand to other markets in ASEAN countries.
Pravin Shah, chief executive, international operations, automotive & farm equipment sectors commented,
SEA markets are important, big markets for M&M’s overseas growth and for expanding our global presence. We are at present in talks with various parties and evaluating the various possibilities for setting up base with appropriate business model.
The market size for utility vehicles and pick-ups in ASEAN markets is more than 700,000 units per annum and for tractors is more than 55,000 units. Mahindra, a specialist in both of them, cannot afford to let this opportunity walk by.
The new plant is likely to come up in next couple of years.
Source: EconomicTimes.IndiaTimes.com
JokeForBlog.Blogspot.com has brought out spyshots of a camouflaged Ssangyong Rexton testing out in Korea assumed to be a cosmetically upgraded version for a 2012 release.
The spotted mule retains the current model’s alloy wheels. The reworked front and rear fenders, muscular hood, new wing mirrors and perhaps a completely redesigned front fascia could lend it a macho feel.
See spyshots of the Rexton testing in India
Ssangyong launches next year in India with the Korando C and the Rexton. The Rexton is a 7-seat SUV formed on an old Mercedes M-Class platform powered by a Daimler engine. These two Ssangyong models sit above the XUV500. The Rexton will act as the Korean brand’s flagship model assembled in Mahindra’s plant either at Chakan or Nashik.
It is hard to guess if Mahindra introduces the Ssangyong brand with the new-face Rexton or saves it up for a later date.
Vehicle 1 – Our friends at Motorbeam.com have scooped the On-Test Mahindra Maxximo CNG in Pune. Besides the CNG badge there’s no visual difference on the sub-1 tonne truck. The cabin and load area are the same. Mahindra is toying with various powertrains on the Maxximo, we saw an electric variant on duty at the Pragati Maidan during Auto Expo last year, production plans of which have not been revealed. The platform has been used to body a passenger van dubbed Maxximo Mini Van.
Will Mahindra bring the CNG variant to the Auto Expo next month?
Vehicle 2 – IndianCarsBikes.in’s EarthFusion has snagged the Tata ACE Dicor in Pune. IndianAutosBlog.com was first in putting this project under the spotlight back in September, but this is the first time we have photographic evidence of it testing. The Ace DICOR is powered by a two-cylinder turbocharged CRDI engine.
ICB adds that certain mechanical components from the Ace DICOR engine will funnel down into the Nano diesel project, rumored to touch down next year.
Did you have your heart set on the XUV500 but did not manage to get one in the first round of bookings? Worry no more as Mahindra has promised that it will open a second round of bookings for the XUV500 in January 2012. So ring up your bank to keep those loan papers ready!
Launched on the 29th of September, the XUV made history when the company declared the their latest offering was sold out within 10 days of launch. 8000 orders from across India set the cash registers ringing for Mahindra dealers. Due to production constraints, Mahindra had to delay the international launch of the XUV500.
Currently, Mahindra is working on the existing 8,000 deliveries which should be completed by January. Hopefully, M&M will sort out the supply constraints in the second round of bookings enabling them to accept more orders.
The existing owners have given the XUV500 an excellent word of mouth. Thus, M&M can be rest assured that the second round of bookings will be a successful one. However, knowing the situation, the company may choose to bump the price to increase profitability.
