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Three MUVs from project Scorpio by March 2001

Mahindra and Mahindra will roll out three models of diesel and petrol versions of Multi-utility vehicle (muv) in March 2001 under its Rs 600-crore project 'scorpio' said Alan E Durante, executive director and president, automotive sector.

Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of company's launch of bullet proof vehicles at Defexpo here today, Durante refused to divulge price range of the vehicles as many factors could change by then, but said it would be between Armada and Safari. While Armada is priced at around Rs 4.5 lakh, Safari's price stands at between Rs 8 lakh to Rs 9 lakh.

M&M has tied up with leading global component manufacturers for the project, including Bistion for gauges, Lia Corporation for seat manufacturing, Sam Lip for front suspension system.

The company has shortlisted Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh for setting up plant for the project. The ultimate decision would depend on the kind of incentives that the two states offer to the company. Durante claims that many of global component partners of the company will set up their factories near the plant.

The vehicles will be benchmarked much beyond Tata Sumo as M&M's Armada competes well with that brand. Stating that the vehicles will be Indian Pajero, Durnate said they will be benchmarked against Toyota's Land Cruiser. There will be enough trials for the vehicles before they are launched in the Indian market, so that the product speaks for itself, Durante claimed.

The vehicles will be in three range;low, medium and high. While low sized vehicle will be ten seater, high version will be eight seater.

The engine will be 2.5 litre for both petrol and diesel and option of four-wheel drive will be given to customers. The vehicles will be available with both manual and electric drive.

UNI

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