Isuzu Motors, one of the latest players to enter the domestic passenger vehicle market, on Thursday (11 May) launched its Make in India SUV MU-X to take on established players like Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour.
The SUV built on the same platform as the new-generation D-Max comes in two variant- the two-wheeler drive variant and the four-wheel drive variant which are priced Rs 23.99 lakh and Rs 25.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), respectively. Prices for the Fortuner and the Endeavour starts at Rs 28.26 lakh and Rs 26.63, respectively, for the entry level 4x2 diesel variant.
The company is confident that the SUV will make a distinct place among Indian customers as it meets every need with ease. The company claims that the car is smooth on highways and has exceptional off-road capabilities.
Hiroshi Nakagawa, Director of the Board and Managing Executive Officer, Isuzu Motors Ltd said, “You don’t have to decide how to go somewhere, our cars gives you the choice of where to go. You can take our cars literally anywhere.”
“Isuzu is globally renowned for making tough, reliable and fuel efficient vehicles that are known to be engineered for life. The Mu-X embodies these characteristics and will be built at our state-of-the-art manufacturing plant at Sri City with the same exacting quality standards that have made ISUZU a trusted brand all over the world,” Nakagawa added.
The Isuzu Mu-X comes with a 3-litre diesel that makes 174 bhp and 380 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed sequential shift automatic transmission. The Isuzu MU-X boasts of a claimed fuel efficiency of 13.8 kmpl. The high-end SUV will face tough competition as the segment is widely dominated by two models- Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner. Other players like Hyundai and Chevrolet also options for buyers in the segment.
He also said that Isuzu’s pick-up truck V-Cross which was launched in India last year is doing very good in the market and is the best lifestyle vehicle available in the country.
Isuzu, best known for making CVs worldwide, is optimistic about SUV growth in the Indian passenger market and believes it’s very difficult to forecast the market potential of SUVs in coming years.
Nakagawa said, “India is a key market for ISUZU globally and is also a future hub of our global manufacturing operations. We will continue to invest in the Indian operations and also bring in the best technology and engineering that ISUZU has to offer globally.”
Currently Isuzu has achieved 70 per cent localisation for all of its models in India. The company has its manufacturing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, which has an annual capacity of 120,000 units.
BW Reporters
The author is Senior Correspondent with BW Businessworld
