HM-Mitsubishi have commenced local assembly of the Pajero Sport in India, leading to reduction in prices of the SUV. The Pajero Sport is being brough in via the CKD route with assembly happening at HM’s Tiruvalluar plant, near Chennai. The locally aseembled Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is priced at Rs. 22.56 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi). This is a Rs. 1.87 lakhs reduction in the price over the CBU Pajero Sport, which was priced at Rs. 24.43 lakhs (all prices ex-showroom, New Delhi).
The Pajero Sport has been localized to the tune of 14%, with the same being increased to 30% by April 2013. Hindusatan Motors is procuring the battery, tyres, window glass, lamps, seat belts, wiper assembly, headlining and alloy wheels locally. Power comes in from a 2.5-litre common rail turbocharged diesel engine which produces 178 PS of power and 400 Nm. The vehicle features on demand 4×4, rear stabilizer, leather seats, rear parking sesonrs, dual airbags, ABS, EBD, etc.
The Pajero Sport is retailed through HM-Mitsubishi dealers in 40 locations, which will be expanded to 55 locations by the end of the year. Although the vehicle has a lot of potential, the attitude of the company needs some serious re-thinking. The Pajero Sport is still quite overpriced, considering it has to rub shoulders with the Toyota Fortuner. Last month 32 units of this SUV were sold in the Indian market. Mitsubishi was once a key player in the Indian market, when the Lancer used to compete with the Honda City.
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