Mahindra & Mahindra in joint partnership with Ssangyong is developing a mini-SUV.
Codenamed as the S101, the work on the mini-SUV began a year ago and the product is currently being developed in M&M’s plant in Chakan, from where it will be rolled out in 2014 approximately. The mini-SUV will be powered by 1-1.2 litre petrol engines and 1.5-litre diesel engines. But what steals the thunder and has started creating a buzz is the unique pricing of the mini-SUV, for the mini-SUV is expected to be priced between Rs. 3,00,000 and Rs. 4,00,000.
While currently most mini-SUVs less than 4 meters in the world are premium products and are thus positioned in the premium price category, M&M’s mini-SUV will be the only mini-SUV in the world which would fall in the price range of Rs. 300,000 – Rs. 400,000.
The S101 project apart from being the first mini-SUV to be placed in the ultra-low cost category is also the first joint venture of M&M and Ssangyong, the South Korean SUV maker, which M&M acquired in 2010.