Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 |
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Corporate
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Announcements Scorpio set to become more affordable — New version with engine variant by March Sudha Menon
PUNE, Dec. 9 MAHINDRA & Mahindra is all set to make its popular Scorpio model more affordable with plans being firmed up to launch a regular natural aspirated engine version of the sports utility vehicle. The M&M General Manager, Sales, Automotive Sector, Mr G. Sheshadri, told Business Line on Monday the company was right now working on a diesel, natural aspirated engine variant of the currently available turbo-charged diesel Scorpio. To be launched by March 2003, the new version will be at least Rs 60-70,000 cheaper than the standard model of the SUV, which carries a price tag of Rs 6.35 lakh. "While the Scorpio has found favour with lots of people looking to buy a vehicle in its category, price has been a barrier . With the regular diesel engine version of the Scorpio, we intend to make the vehicle more affordable to potential buyers,'' he said. "We were planning the launch at around December, but with the waitlist on the Scorpio building up, we decided to postpone the regular diesel engine version by a few months,'' he said. Meanwhile, the company is right now on an overdrive seeking to rejuvenate its Bolero platform on which it is planning a string of variants. On the anvil is a short wheel base, soft top Bolero Invader which the company maintains will be the first MUV in the country to have features such as power steering, airconditioner and power windows among other things. It will launched with two engine options, Di and XDI. The company was also planning a longer version designed to be a contract carriage vehicle with the Bolero Power Train, to be available in nine and 10-seater variants, Mr Sheshadri said. Both vehicles were currently in the design stage and would be launched by March 2003, he said. The company is also simultaneously working to bolster the sagging sales and image of the Bolero GLX which is currently being restyled to be launched with all-new interiors and features like remote controlled stereo, moulded lining on the roof and a host of other utility features. Mr Sheshadri said the new Bolero GLX would be launched by end January 2003. Meanwhile, the company is right now ramping up production of the Scorpio which currently has a waitlist of over two months, according to Mr Sheshadri who said production was expected to go up to the level of 2,000 vehicles per month by the end of the current fiscal. The Bolero had sold over 6,000 units since its launch, he added.
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