Even as Mahindra & Mahindra unleashes the new improved Scorpio, its plans to launch a low-end version of the stinger for mass market are currently on. The company will launch the third vehicle from the Scorpio platform as soon as it clears the waiting period for the Scorpio.
The stripped-down version of Scorpio is expected to cost at least Rs 50,000 lesser than the existing model. The Scorpio diesel is currently available in three variants priced between Rs 6.22 lakh and Rs 7.2 lakh (Rs 622,000 and Rs 720,000), ex-showroom in Mumbai.
"The Scorpio is still doing well, we have a four-week waiting period for the vehicle now. But the low-end Scorpio is very much on the cards. All the work has been done on the vehicle and we can roll it out of the factory whenever we want," Rajesh Jejurikar, executive vice-president, automotive sector, said.
With the relaunch of the diesel Scorpio, M&M has pushed the SUV's price upwards by Rs 1,500-10,000. So those unhappy about the price increase have more reasons to welcome the Scorpio NA, as it will be called.
Sources familiar with the development say Scorpio NA will come minus the turbocharged engine, power steering, power windows and a few other frills that come with the existing models.
The company has been struggling to meet the demand for the Scorpio since its launch in June 2002.
The production capacity of M&M's Nashik plant has been ramped up to meet the increasing demand. The plant now produces 85 units a day which will further scaled up to 100 units by next month.
The Mahindras created an altogether new platform to develop the Scorpio. It also has several other utility vehicles in its portfolio that include the Bolero and the Maxx.
It recently discontinued two old models, the Classic and the Armada.
The utility vehicle segment has been seeing major action over the last few months, with Maruti, Ford and Hyundai launching their products in India -- the Grand Vitara, Forrester and Terracan, respectively.
These models are, however, priced far higher than the Scorpio.
