Mahindra rolls out new Maxximo Plus mini-truck

Mumbai, March 4, 2013: Mahindra & Mahindra has launched its new Maxximo Plus 0.85-tonne payload mini-truck, which is an upgrade on the original Maxximo launched in 2010. The new CV is priced at Rs 3.40 lakh for the BS III version (ex-showroom Thane) and Rs 3.49 lakh for the BS IV version (ex-showroom, Mumbai, without Octroi).

A key highlight to the vehicle is the addition of Fuel Smart technology, which enables the customer to choose between two driving modes, one for higher power (26hp), and one for higher mileage (21.9kpl) at the press of a switch. The Maxximo Plus comes with a longer wheelbase of 1950mm and a stronger seven-leaf rear suspension to transport heavier loads and handle rough roads better than the Maxximo. The new vehicle comes with a large loading area of 35 square feet and 850kg of rated payload.

According to M&M, the new vehicle’s operating cost, per tonne per kilometre, will help the owner potentially earn around 30 percent more, per year, over the competition. This is due to superior mileage which lowers costs, a lower maintenance costs and the ability to carry more load with faster turn-around time. Mahindra is focussing on increasing the value proposition of its Maxximo range with the addition of this CV.

Speaking at the launch in Mumbai today, Pravin Shah, chief executive (Automotive Division), said: “The new Maxximo Plus mini-truck delivers superior value with the pioneering but simple-to-use Fuel Smart technology, superior engine performance and load-carrying capability.”

The Maxximo Plus, which comes with a 2-year/60,000km warranty, is built at the company’s Chakan plant that has a total production capacity of 320,000 vehicles per annum and also rolls out the Maxximo, Genio SC/DC, Mahindra Navistar trucks and the XUV500 and SsangYong Rexton SUVs. The company has also introduced hand-held tablets at CV showrooms across the country. The tablet uses a multi-lingual application which takes the customer through an informative guide and allows him/her to select the best Mahindra vehicle for his/her needs.

In the LCV goods carrier market, M&M has a 30.09 percent market share, having sold 115,418 units in the domestic market in the April 2012-January 2013 period. This is an 11.40 percent increase over the 103,605 units sold in the year-ago period.

The LCV goods carrier market is currently notching good sales and in the 11 months of the current fiscal (2012-13) has recorded a 17.29 percent growth with overall sales of 383,520 units. Tata Motors, with its Ace and Ace Zip models, is the major player in this segment.

Photograph (L-R): Pravin Shah, chief executive (Automotive Division) and Rajan Wadhera, chief executive – Technology, Product Development and Sourcing, Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, M&M.

KEDAR JAIDEV