Mahindra & Mahindra to launch new compact SUV, TUV300 in September

Auto major Mahindra & Mahindra plans to introduce a new compact SUV, TUV300, in mid-September this year taking another step towards consolidating its position as the leading utiltiy vehicles manufacturer in the country.

"The TUV300 is a compact sub-four metre SUV. This will be a true blue SUV and not a crossover that is mainly the case in the market now," M&M executive director Pawan Goenka told PTI.

He added, "This new vehicle will address the needs of those customers who are looking for a pure SUV in the compact segment. We will share the details of the product around the time of launch in mid-September."

The TUV300 would take on the likes of Toyota Etios Cross, Hyundai 120 Active and Fiat Avventura which are priced at a range of Rs 6.23 lakh and Rs 8.89 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The company had launched a new SUV Quanto in 2012 but it failed to gain traction on the scale other SUVs from the company such as the XUV500 and Scorpio had.

"The design of the Mahindra TUV300 has been inspired by a battle tank with raised shoulders, high front nose, flat roof, high ground clearance and straight bonnet," the company said.

On the significance of the model, Goenka said, "Today, Mahindra has the strongest equity in the SUV segment in India. In our ongoing automotive journey, we identified a need for a tough, bold and masculine SUV and our customer clinics have confirmed that the TUV300 delivers on these parameters."

The company plans to launch two new compact SUVs to counter growing competition, with the TUV300 being the first of these. "The TUV300 will be a compact sub-four metre SUV. Against the cross-overs in the market, this will be a hardcore SUV," Goenka said, The Times of India reported.

According to Goenka, the new vehicle would address the needs of those customers who were looking for a pure SUV in the compact segment. He said the company would share the details of the product around the time of launch in mid-September.