Mahindra XUV 500 debuts in Chilean market

May 30, 2013, Mumbai: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. – a part of the USD 15.9 billion Mahindra Group today                                   

launched its XUV500 premium SUV model in Chile. The company’s first global platform, the Mahindra XUV500                             

was launched in India in October 2011, with a simultaneous unveiling in South Africa. The model has been                                 

designed entirely in­house at Mahindra’s world class research and development facility called Mahindra                       

Research Valley in Chennai in South India.

The Mahindra XUV500 is one of the best selling SUV’s in India selling over 35,000 units within a year of its                                       

launch, It has been the most awarded SUV in India, winning 22 awards in 2011­12 and has had notable                                   

success in markets like Nepal, Italy and South Africa. The Latin American launch of this iconic platform                               

begins with Chile, which is a key focus market for Mahindra, and will be followed by launches in Brazil,                                   

Paraguay, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.

The XUV500 has been launched in partnership with Automotores Fortaleza, part of Minvest, Holding                         

Gildemeister, which has been at the forefront of building brand Mahindra in Chile. TheXUV500 is Mahindra’s                             

first premium SUV product in the Chile market adding to our portfolio of Mahindra and Genio Pick­ups and                                 

the Scorpio SUV.

It combines the abilities of an Urban SUV with the off­roading capability of a 4x4 at a competitive price,                                   

thereby satisfying the needs of all types of customers. From the urban office goer, to a mother dropping her                                   

kids to school, to an off roading enthusiast in the south of Chile, everyone can drive the XUV500 with equal                                     

poise and confidence. It would compete against models like the Chevrolet Captiva, Hyundai Santa Fe, and                             

Kia Sorento in the Chile market.

“Mahindra is a well recognized brand in Chile. ‘Never Bet Against Mahindra’ – our tagline – is epitomized by                                   

the rugged and reliable character of our vehicles as well as by our brand ambassador, Chaleco Lopez. This                                 

is in sync Mahindra’s Rise Philosophy of ‘Accepting no limits’. The Mahindra Scorpio is currently one of the                                 

top 5 players in large SUV segment and among the top 2 in diesel powered vehicles.” said Ruzbeh Irani,                                   

Chief Executive, International Operations, Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, Mahindra &                   

Mahindra Ltd.

“Raising the bar, we are proud to introduce the Mahindra XUV 500 – an unbeatable combination of distinctive                                 

styling and contemporary features, at a compelling price – which has made it a runaway success in India                                 

and ensured its acceptance in international markets. I am confident that it will prove to be the ideal choice                                   

for the Chilean consumer, providing him with a lifestyle enhancing SUV that delivers superlative city and                             

off­roading experiences for the entire family.”added Irani.

“The response to the launch Mahindra products in Chile has surpassed all expectations with increasing                           

retails every month. With its unique combination Urban SUV with an off road capability, Diesel advantage,                             

Mahindra XUV500 also offers a strong value proposition and is sure to emerge as a choice in the Chilean                                   

market. The launch campaign in Chile will be targeted at families and focus on the quality, design,                               

technology, equipment, interior space and the powerful diesel engine of the XUV500. The communication will                           

position the model as an urban, family vehicle that is ideal for outdoor activities. We are also glad to renew                                     

our partnership with Mahindra which is recognized the world over as a leading auto brand.” said Mr. Juan                                 

Enrique Retamal, Business Manager, Automotores Fortaleza S.A

About Mahindra XUV500

The Mahindra XUV500 is the first global SUV from the Mahindra stable that has been completely designed                               

and developed around the global customer, with extensive product validation and testing done across                         

Europe, Chile, Australia, South Africa, and India.

Mahindra’s latest contender in the highly competitive international SUV market has been likened to an                           

African cheetah in terms of both its appearance and performance. The Mahindra XUV500 is seen as having a                                 

body styling line ‘inspired by a pouncing cheetah’ as well as its physics­defying agility, along with a                               

‘cheetah­inspired jaw­like grille’ and vertical ‘paw­styled door handles.’

The XUV500 offers front wheel drive and all wheel drive derivatives, all powered by a transversely­mounted                             

four­cylinder, 2,2­litre mHawk turbo diesel engine which develops 103kW of power at 3 750r/min and 330N.m                             

of torque between 1 600 – 2 800r/min.

The turbo diesel offers impressive driveability thanks to a flat torque curve at low RPM. This also helps in                                   

giving the XUV500 a towing capability of 750 kilos for an un­braked trailer and 2500 kilos for a braked trailer.

Transmission is a six­speed manual, with a low ratio transfer box for the all­wheel drive model. The all­wheel                                 

drive system on the W8, 4x4 model, has an interactive torque management system which switches                           

seamlessly from two­to four­wheel drive.

It is a spacious seven­seater SUV of monocoque construction with an up­to­date mechanical specification                         

and a high level of standard equipment. This stylish SUV is available in a range of five exterior body colours.

The XUV500 is built on a unique platform. Suspension is independent on all four­wheels, with minimal body                               

roll when cornering hard. Steering is by power­assisted rack­and pinion, with a kerb­to­kerb turning circle of                             

11.2 m. Braking is by four wheel discs with anti­skid ABS, electronic brake distribution (EBD) and                             

emergency brake assist. Wheels are 17 inch diameter alloys fitted with P235/65R tyres.

Driver aids include automatic hill descent and hill hold, while all three models have cruise control, Intellipark                               

front and rear park assist, light­sensing headlamps and rain­sensing windscreen wipers.

Safety features include electronic stability control (ESP) with a rollover mitigating sensor, airbags and                         

crumple zones in the safety cell body. The Xenon swivelling, projector­type headlamps are another important                           

safety feature, as is the Tyretronics system which monitors tyre pressure and temperature. Front fog lamps                             

are standard on all variants.

The spacious interior offers not only plush comfort with leather upholstery but also a very high level of                                 

standard equipment.

Convenience items include dual­zone climate control, as well as power windows and remote central locking.                           

The exterior rear view mirrors are electronically adjustable and can be folded flat when driving in a confined                                 

space.

Infotainment is right up to date. It includes an FM radio/ CD player with a shuttle which is controlled from a                                       

centrally­mounted 15 cm touch screen, with a navigation system as well as MP3, USB, Bluetooth and iPod                               

connectivity. There are also six speakers with built­in tweeters.

The Mahindra XUV500 has convenient steering wheel­mounted controls for the cruise and audio controls and                           

the system includes the use of voice commands.

The integrated driver information system reports on vital information such as driving range and                         

tyre­monitoring. The Intellipark reverse park assist uses the LCD screen to indicate the distance between                           

the rear bumper and an obstacle behind the vehicle. There are several storage units, including sufficient                             

room for a laptop in the glove box and a cool box in the central console.

The Mahindra XUV500 is built at Mahindra’s state­of­the­art manufacturing facility in the region of Chakan,                           

near the city of Pune, in western India. This new plant was built on a greenfield site in a Special Economic                                       

Zone. This region is one of India’s largest automotive hubs. This operation is supported by a growing number                                 

of component suppliers and service providers who have set up operations in the area.

Besides this plant in Chakan, Mahindra operates an engine plant and four other vehicle assembly facilities                             

at other locations in India.

About Minvest, Holding Gildemeister

Minvest, Holding Gildemeister, is a consolidated group, founded in 1986, of different companies which                         

operate in eight countries in Latin America such as Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil and Central America. The                               

Company aim is to lead the way in the distribution of vehicles and machinery, with the best after sales                                   

support and the business model is a unique combination of manufacturer, distribution and retail.                         

Automotores Fortaleza S.A. is a Minvest subsidiary and handles Mahindra Business in Chile. Given the                           

Group understanding of the market and extensive network, the strategy deployed for Mahindra incorporates                         

efficient management of orders and inventory, high quality service and operating own branches throughout                         

the country in order to ensure a high sales & service standard. The Group also distributes Mahindra in Peru,                                   

Uruguay and Central America. In September 2011, Minvest acquired a 70% of Bramont S.A., which                           

operates as Mahindra’s assembler and distributor in Brazil.

About Mahindra

The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise through solutions that power mobility, drive rural                             

prosperity, enhance urban lifestyles and increase business efficiency.

A USD 15.9 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 155,000                           

people in over 100 countries. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a                               

leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, after­market, information technology and vacation ownership.                     

In addition, Mahindra enjoys a strong presence in the agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting                       

services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel,                     

commercial vehicles and two wheeler industries.

In 2012, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed                                   

companies in the world. In 2013, the Mahindra Group received the Financial Times ‘Boldness in Business’                             

Award in the ‘Emerging Markets’ category.