Mahindra Reveals India Launch Details Of The All-New SsangYong Rexton SUV

Autocar India reports that Mahindra will launch the new Rexton during the second-half of 2018. At the sidelines of the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the company's president of R&D and Global Product Development (Automotive Sector), Rajan Wadhera confirmed that the new Rexton has got the go ahead from the company to launch the SUV in India.

He added that "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."

To be competitive in the segment and to be cost effective,
the new Rexton will be locally assembled in India to avoid the high customs charged on Completely Built-up (CBU) or imported cars. "We plan to weld the body in-house and then paint it as well," added Wadhera.

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However, the powertrain and body panels are expected to be imported from Korean suppliers, and the localization is expected to be low. The new SsangYong Rexton is a full-size SUV and measures 4.8m long and is built on the SsangYong's latest body on frame chassis.

The new Rexton is powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine which produces a prudish 185bhp and 420Nm of torque. The new Rexton will rival the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour and undercut its competition with competitive pricing.

There is a possibility that Mahindra could sell the new Rexton under the Mahindra badge and not with the SsangYong badge. But the company is yet to confirm the same.

DriveSpark Thinks!

Mahindra will succeed with the new Rexton only if there is enough localization to compete with the established brands like the Toyota and Ford in the segment. However, Mahindra is known to offer their vehicles with a host of features along with a competitive pricing.