India’s Scorpio to Arrive in US in 2009

In the news: India’s Mahindra&Mahindra is reportedly headed to the US with hopes of selling more than 10,000 units of its Scorpio SUV by the end of the decade.

According to news reports, the first vehicles will hit US shores in 2009, but the range will initially be offered to the UK market later this year, while the folks downunder will see the launch of an M&M pickup this week.

“Our goal is to be known as global specialist players in SUVs and pickups,” said Pawan Goenka, the head of the group’s automotive unit in an interview with the Financial Times.

Scorpio Feature includes:
- tower tail lamps
- bonnet scoop
- air dams and mud flaps
- spoiler
- roof-top ski racks
- integrated foot steps
- air extractor
- new styled IP and Console
- two tone interiors
- CRDe engine
- 5- zone cushion suspension
- Voice assist system, vehicle security system and remote locking unlocking
- Protective side cladding
- Middle row sliding seats(for 8)
- Centre armrests (2nd row seats)
- Individual armrests( 1st row seats)
- Full fabric seats
- Tilt able steering
- Heating, ventilation and AC with rear vents
- ORVM manual remocon and swivel interior lamp
- Tubeless tyres
- New spaces for storage
- Mobile charging facility
- Intelligent front wipers
- Rearwash and wipe
- Rear demister
- Follow me home headlamps and illuminated footboards
- Theatre style interior illumination w/ lit front foot wells
- Foot well lamps for driver and co driver and illuminated key ring
- Power steering
- Power windows
- Audio system
- New combination switch
- Bigger glove box
- Headlamp leveling switch and fuel lid opener
- Collapsible steering column and side intrusion beams
- Crash protecting crumple zones and child locks
- Fire resistant upholstery


Based in Mumbai, M&M already sells a range of tractors in the US and has exported its Scorpio SUV to South Africa, Italy, France and Spain in limited numbers.

The SUV will be offered in three variants for the US market, with pricing expected to start well below the $25,000 mark. The top of the line Scorpio SLX retails for 828,132 rupees in India, which is approximately $18,500.

The group’s vice-chairman and managing director, Anand Mahindra, revealed that the new model would undercut comparable SUVs offered by GM, Ford and Toyota by up to $1,500.