Mahindra rolls out compact TUV300, priced at Rs 6.9 L

Company invests Rs 1,200 cr into product development

 Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) launched the next sports utility vehicle from its stable, the much-awaited TUV300, at a starting price of Rs 6.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune).

The total investment made by M&M for making the TUV300 is Rs 1,200 crore, which includes product development, driveline and the AMT. Out of this, a total of Rs 200 crore had just been earmarked for just the engine of the TUV300.

The suppliers have invested around Rs 300 crore for the new product which takes the total investment to Rs 1,500 crore. The SUV has been totally built at the company’s manufacturing facility in Chakan, Maharashtra.

“The TUV300 is a clear manifestation of our participation in the ‘Make in India’ mission. As the market leader of SUVs in India, it has always been our endeavour to lead the way and create a compelling value proposition in an otherwise crowded segment. I am confident that similar to its predecessors, the TUV300 too will create a mark for itself and emerge as a strong brand from the house of Mahindra,” M&M Executive Director Pawan Goenka said.

The production capacity for TUV300 is 5,000 units a month currently, but it is variable and we will be able to ramp up further if required, Goenka added.

TUV300 is powered by the advanced 1.5-litre mHawk80 diesel engine with a two-stage turbocharger that delivers 61.5 kW (84 Bhp) & 230Nm torque.  TUV300 is the country's only SUV with autoSHIFT Automated Manual Transmission Technology (AMT).
It has an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 18.49 kmpl.

According to M&M President and Chief Executive Officer (Automotive) Pravin Shah, the company has plans to export TUV300.

Cab aggregator threat

Cab aggregators like Ola and Uber are certainly likely to hit businesses of auto companies, according to M&M CMD Anand Mahindra.

“The biggest threat to the auto industry is the threat that comes from age of access and not excess. Ola and Uber are saying that you don’t need to own a car to travel and that is certainly going to affect sales of the auto industry,” Mahindra said.