New Global Mahindra MPV under works in the US

Mahindra is developing a new MPV at its North American Technical Centre for the global market. Based in Detroit, the R&D facility is working on an all-new ground up MPV according to reports. The new MPV will take on the MPV baton from the slow selling Xylo and Quanto. 

Mahindra Executive Director and President Dr Pawan Goenka has said that a new UV will hit markets in 2017 and for its development, the company has hired over 35 engineers in the Detroit R&D facility. He has been further quoted as saying that India will be the first market to get the new UV followed by the rest of the world. 

Mahindra produces three products on the Xylo platform, the Xylo, the Quanto mini-MPV and the Genio pick-up all of which are facing poor sales and collectively not reaching their production target. The MPV segment is picking up now with the Honda Mobilio and the Datsun Go+ just launching in a few months time. The problem for Mahindra is that other MPVs on sale in India including the Innova and Ertiga are very car like to drive unlike the bulky Xylo.  The Mobilio too promises to be a fine handling MPV. 

The ease of driving one is paramount to make them succeed in the private owner space and there’s no better place to develop one than the US where MPVs are very popular among families with school going kids. This is one UV segment Mahindra has plenty of scope for growth.