Midrand, October 12 2023: Mahindra South Africa showcased two of its Authentic SUVs at this year’s SA Auto Week (SAAW23).
Held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Gauteng, the SA Auto Week is South Africa’s premier industry event. It offers vehicle manufacturers like Mahindra an opportunity to discuss issues facing the local and global industry while also showcasing its newest innovations and vehicles.
The two models on display, the all-new Scorpio-N and XUV 700, physically manifest the spirit of the brand at SAAW 23 where the industry celebrates its South African manufacturing capability and the high-tech new products that will spearhead its advances into a new era of motoring.
Both new Mahindra models bring a host of new technologies to a market used to more budget-focused options.
For instance, the Mahindra XUV700 offers features such as a 26 cm Superscreen that incorporates the digital dashboard and a host of entertainment features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system is connected to a 12-speaker 3D SONY sound system for the most immersive sound experience.
This model uses its array of cameras to offer a 360-degree view of the vehicle from inside, while also doubling up as a traffic camera while driving.
The Scorpio-N, in turn, brings real-world off-road capabilities to the adventure SUV segment with its 400 Nm turbodiesel engine and adaptive terrain response system that adjusts its operation based on the road conditions in the off-road capable Scorpio-N.
“Having laid a solid foundation over the past 19 years, we now shift gears and focus on expanding our range of Authentic SUVs and Authentic bakkies. This will not only help us to maintain the momentum that has made us the fastest-growing brand in 2022 but will also give us a varied product offering that will appeal to virtually all consumer groups,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.
With reference to the solid foundation that Mahindra has laid in South Africa, Rajesh mentions the recent investment in a new state-of-the-art warehouse in Linbro Park, Gauteng, and its growing network of dealers that currently stand at 74 showrooms covering all nine provinces and every major city and town.
Speaking on the sidelines of the SA Auto Week, Rajesh also highlighted the significant investment in improving the Mahindra Assembly Facility at the Dube TradePort in KwaZulu-Natal.
The facility, which produced its first proudly South African Pik Up in 2018, has since been upgraded to include a comprehensive post-production testing track, a modern painting facility and a more streamlined production line.
With these upgrades, the assembly facility can produce in excess of 500 Pik Ups a month across the entire product range, from the entry-level Pik Up S4 Dropside to the coveted Pik Up Karoo Dusk, Dawn and Storm with their six-speed automatic transmissions.
“Our next step will be to introduce special edition models of the XUV300, Scorpio-N and Pik Up. The last mentioned will be expanded with the introduction of a single-cab Pik Up Karoo Dawn with 4×4 drivetrain.
“We have also listened to the calls by Mahindra fans and will soon introduce a special Mahindra Scorpio-N Adventure Edition, complete with custom-built approach and departure bumpers, off-road focused tyres and suspension and a number of interior additions.
“Lastly, our range will soon include a Mahindra XUV300 XPREZ. This panel van version is custom-built for South Africa and will offer safe, cost-effective and reliable transport for businesses looking for a commercial vehicle in the sub one-tonne market,” says Rajesh.
The SA Auto Week 2023 concludes on Friday 13 October with a special address by the Deputy President of South Africa, the Hon. Paul Mashatile.
