Mahindra introduced the XUV500 in South Africa a day after its four-city Indian launch. At the launch higher officials discussed SAARC countries as potential target markets, mentioned Australia and how the acquisition of Ssangyong could come into play when they would want to offer petrol engines. They planned rigorously not knowing of the overwhelming response awaiting them in those four cities. The car raked in thousands of bookings keeping exports out of the picture for a while.
Mahindra postponed plans to export the XUV500 and spent all their time and efforts into ramping up production and deliver as many cars as they could. They are still in the process of delivering cars to the 7,500 customers who were chosen from the lucky draw that marked the end of the second round of bookings.
We've shown you a spyshot of a LHD XUV500 camouflaged and testing in Italy late last year. It wasn't there as a squad car for vacationing officials as Mahindra is indeed planning to launch the XUV500 in Italy and Australia. Mahindra has developed a LHD variant and the design of the vehicle enables it to pass all necessary emission norms. Chile is another market that is high priority.
Production at the Chakan plant will slowly be raised from 3,000 to 4,000 units and eventually reach 5,000 units, this report adds.
[Source - timesofindia.indiatimes.com]
