Mahindra's Second Big Price Cut For XUV700 In 6 Months: What's Going On!
Mahindra has announced a sizeable price cut on the XUV 700. Rs 75,000 has now been shaved off the price of Mahindra's flagship. The SUV has become more affordable and offers better value. This revision is thus expected to give the sales a significant boost. It applies only to the top-spec AX7 and AX7L trims. Back in August, the carmaker had announced discounts of up to Rs. 2.2 lakh on the XUV 700. Two major price drops in just 6 months! What's happening?
Why Are Mahindra XUV700 Prices Falling?
Well, we don't know the exact reasons for these back-to-back downward revisions in XUV700 prices. But considering various market and manufacturer trends, here are a bunch of assumptions:
One of the possible reasons could be an attempt to reduce cannibalisation with the newly launched 'Electric Origin SUVs'. At present, there is close proximity between the prices of XUV 700 and those of the BE 6 and some variants of the XEV 9e. The August revision had made the prices of AX7 and AX7L fall to 19.49 lakh and 24.99 lakh respectively. The latest revision has taken this further down to 18.7 lakh and 24.25 lakh respectively.
The second possible reason could be Mahindra's tried and tested game plan of introducing luring discounts and benefits on outgoing variants and models prior to rolling out new ones. Mahindra is readying a major facelift to the XUV 700. It is likely to be called the XUV 7XO upon launch and will have many major departures from the outgoing model.
Mahindra's Tricky Price Game Explained:
Mahindra knows the price game better than anyone else. If you look at their products, the carmaker always makes it a point to give all its products a groundbreaking introductory price. This would often undercut all the rivals, but would be valid for a limited period or for a limited number of units. The prices would go up after these, but by then, the vehicle would have garnered immense buyer interest and a boatload of bookings.
Going forward, we would see Mahindra increase the price gradually for these products, but without affecting their appeal ( quality and engineering excellence speak for them). Closer to the launch of its facelift, the carmaker would slowly reduce the prices, bringing them closer to what they used to cost initially. They would then launch the facelift and play a similar price game with it as well. The latest revision could be a part of this strategy.
Upcoming XUV 700 Facelift/ XUV 7XO
The new XUV will look almost like the outgoing model. Key design highlights will include the familiar grille design, headlamps with C-shaped DRLs that extend down to the bumper, refreshed tail lamps. flush-type door handles and new twin five-spoke alloy wheels.
Inside the cabin, the new model will have several features that the XEV 9e comes with. Expect the likes of augmented reality-based HUD (head-up display) and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The triple screen setup, NFC phone/ key card-based access, and a two-spoke steering wheel with illuminated Mahindra logo, could also make their way into the XUV 7XO.
Like the XEV 9e, the XUV 700 facelift could also get an integrated selfie camera, auto parking feature, dual-zone climate control, and dual wireless phone chargers. There will also be wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on offer. The second row seats could come with power adjustment and even ventilation. The SUV will also feature adaptive cruise control and Level 2 ADAS. The new SUV will also get a large panoramic sunroof.
The XUV 7XO will continue to use the existing set of powertrains- 2.0L, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and the 2.2L, 4-cylinder mHawk turbocharged diesel engine. At present, the petrol engine can make 200 bhp and 380 Nm while the diesel is available in two states of tune- 155 bhp/360 Nm and 185 bhp/ 420 Nm. Both manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions will continue to be available.
An all-electric version will also debut soon, and likely be called the XEV 7e upon launch.