When Mahindra acquired SsangYong earlier this year, it became certain that the SUVs from the Korean automaker would hit Indian roads very soon. However, Mahindra will only launch SsangYong SUVs in the middle of 2012 as the company intends to focus on its upcoming global SUV XUV500. The company is already testing the Rexton and Korando C in Mumbai. Mahindra will position the SsangYong SUVs over the flagship Mahindra vehicle. The Korean vehicles will need heavy marketing as brand awareness about SsangYong is completely lacking in India. Expect prices to start upwards of Rs. 15 lakhs, as Mahindra intends to target the luxury segment with these SUVs.
“Some of SsangYong SUVs will come by middle of next year, after the ‘XUV 500’ which will come by December. Currently, we are focusing on our core brands of Scorpio, Bolero and Xylo and trying to grow other brands such as Verito and pick-up truck Maxximo,” Vivek Nayer, senior VP, marketing, automotive division, Mahindra said.
