The company has confirmed the India launch of the all-new G4 Ssangyong Rexton in the second half of 2018.
The car was revealed at the Seoul motor show in April, and Mahindra is currently evaluating the feasibility of the new Rexton in India from a cost perspective. “We need to understand what the price positioning of the Rexton is and whether can afford to bring it at that price. If it is feasible then it should take us around a year to launch it in India,” stated Pawan Goenka, managing director of M&M stated.
At the Frankfurt motor show recently, company's president of R&D and Global Product Development (Automotive Sector), Rajan Wadhera confirmed that the Rexton is a go for India. “The costs are still a challenge, but we have decided to launch the Rexton as we believe there is a good opportunity for this product in the Indian market.”
Mahindra will locally assemble the car to keep prices competitive. “We plan to weld the body in-house and then paint it as well,” added Wadhera. However, parts like the powertrain and body panels will continue to be imported from Korean suppliers.
The massive 4.8m SUV is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine, which delivers a modest 187hp and 420Nm. Mahindra is likely to load the car with tech and price it very aggressively.
The big question is whether the Rexton will be badged a Ssangyong or a Mahindra. “The decision on the badging is yet to be taken,” Wadhera said, but he did indicate the Rexton would most likely wear a Mahindra badge, since the Ssangyong doesn’t have the same recall value as the Mahindra brand.
