Mahindra and Mahindra Limited (M&M), the country's leading Utility Vehicle (UV) maker, is working profusely towards the media build up of its compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) Quanto. The upcoming small SUV will be launched in the Indian passenger car market on September 20, 2012 and is expected to carry a price tag starting from Rs. 4.75 lacs.
M&M has established its reputation as a prominent UV manufacturer in the country and the upcoming compact SUV Quanto will be the company's maiden offering in the sub-4 metre vehicle market. With the yet-to-be launched car, M&M is targeting those Indian buyers who are attracted towards entry-level sedans or diesel hatchbacks. The upcoming Quanto is believed to be developed on the same Ingenio platform, which has been utilised by the company in its Xylo Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV).
The Quanto compact SUV is deemed as a younger brother of M&M's Xylo MPV and is also the company's smallest offering in the Indian passenger vehicle market. Regarding the car's catchy name, the company said, "(Quanto) derived from the word 'Quantum', the name has an association with the product promise of more space, more power, more seats and superior performance. The Quanto has the tough and rugged DNA of Mahindra SUVs, thus offering a distinctive advantage over hatchbacks and sedans."
Speaking his mind regarding the yet-to-be launched Quanto's impact on the Indian car market, Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive, M&M, said, “With the Quanto, Mahindra is aiming to fill a need gap in the Indian automotive market for a versatile and compact SUV. We are confident that with its unique value proposition, the Quanto will carve out a segment for itself in the market. We expect the Quanto to offer an exciting upgrade at a premium to customers who are otherwise looking for premium diesel hatchbacks or entry level diesel sedans.”
Reportedly, the upcoming Quanto is expected to hold a 1.5 litre diesel powertrain under its hood, which will be assimilated with a 5-speed manual transmission system. The company may also launch a petrol variant of Quanto SUV with a 1.2 litre engine.
Commenting on the initial production of Quanto compact SUV, Goenka said, “Initially, we expect higher orders for the Quanto, but it should stabilize at 1,500-2,000 units per month.”
The Indian compact SUV market is completely dominated by Renault Duster, which has no vehicles in a direct competition currently. Renault India recorded 15,000 bookings of Duster making it the undisputed champion of the segment on Indian turf. The unexpected surge in demand for compact SUVs has baffled the industry economists and many other car makers like Chevrolet and Ford are working towards launching their own products directed at this segment. The upcoming Quanto will be pitched directly at the Duster, upon its arrival and Indian audience are eagerly waiting to see, which of the two wins the 'Tug of war' in the small SUV segment. Further, Ford Motors is expected to launch its compact SUV Ford EcoSport in the Indian market somewhere around the first half of 2013 while Chevrolet Trax may also be launched soon in the country as well.
