Mahindra readying 3 compact SUVs to rival EcoSport, Duster

Mahindra & Mahindra is planning to introduce three vehicles in the lucrative compact SUV segment over the next 24 months. These will include SUVs codenamed S101, U215 and U301. With these vehicles, the company intends to offer an alternative at every Rs. 50,000-75,000 price points over the entry-level vehicle.

The S101 is expected create a new price-point for Mahindra. It is likely to have a compact, car-like appearance and will be pitted as an alternative to premium hatchbacks.

The U215 will be the Quanto facelift. The current Quanto has not had much success and one of the reasons for that is the vehicle's unappealing look. Mahindra plans to give it a more rugged appearance compared to the boxy design with which it was launched. The vehicle may get better interiors as well.

The third SUV will be the U301, which is likely to be equipped with off-roading features. While it is rumoured to be the replacement for the Bolero, there are reports that both vehicles could co-exist.

While Mahindra leads in the utility segment, its market share stood at 42% for the fiscal ended March 2014 - a considerable drop from the 55% that it commanded two years earlier. One of the reasons for his drop is the emergence of the compact SUV segment, which includes the Ford EcoSport and the Renault Duster. These vehicles have been responsible for their manufacturers grabbing 8.68% and 9% of the market share respectively. With the S101, U215 and U301, Mahindra will hope to recapture some of the ground that it has lost.

Source: Economic Times