Mahindra, or known internationally as Mahindra & Mahindra, is a multinational automotive manufacturer based in India. Established in 1945 as a vehicle manufacturer, the company is also the largest manufacturer of tractors in the world.
Much like Lamborghini, which also produced tractors, Mahindra is looking to establish itself as a leading automotive brand. Unlike the Italian supercar brand, however, Mahindra is focusing more on family and commercial-orientated vehicles.
Aimed directly at the more affordable SUV and bakkie ranges, Mahindra vehicles incorporate the basics and comforts of family vehicles alongside utility and practicality.
Mahindra South Africa offers nine models, with most of them capable of handling off-road terrain.
Mahindra started as a steel trading business in 1945. The company saw an opportunity for growth in the automotive industry and established itself as the Willys Jeep manufacturer of India. This was followed by the production of light commercial vehicles and tractors.
In its continued attempts to expand to foreign markets, Mahindra has purchased stakes in other automotive manufacturers. In 2011, Mahindra bought SsangYong Motors, a South Korean car brand. During this time, it also purchased the Reva electric car brand.
Mahindra acquired 51% of Peugeot Motorcycles in 2014 and then 100% of the company in 2019. In 2015, they also purchased 76% of Pininfarina S.p.A.,an Italian car design company famous for working with Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo.
Today, Mahindra is a giant on the automotive scene. It is the 17th largest company on the India Fortune 500 list and has controlling stakes in several other brands.
The nine Mahindra models available in South Africa might share the capability to handle off-road terrain, but each model has a specific use and market.
|
Model |
Category |
|
XUV300 |
Compact SUV |
|
KUV100 NXT |
Crossover compact |
|
Bolera |
Commercial single cab |
|
Pik Up SC |
Commercial single cab |
|
Thar 4x4 |
Utility |
|
TUV300 |
SUV |
|
Scorpio S11 |
SUV |
|
Pik Up DC |
Commercial double cab |
|
XUV500 |
SUV |
All models are available at any Mahindra dealership in South Africa. If you want to book a test drive, simply connect with the Mahindra dealership closest to you.
The KUV100 NXT is by far the best-selling model of the Mahindra line-up in South Africa. According to NAAMSA vehicle sales reports, it’s the only Mahindra model shipping over 200 models per month. The rest of the range all sell below 100 models per month.
Read more about the following Mahindra models: Mahindra Scorpio Pik Up
The Mahindra KUV100 is a compact crossover SUV that serves as the beacon for the brand in terms of sales. Designed to be an urban cruiser and a weekend adventurer, the little run-about packs a lot in such a small chassis.
The exterior is a mixture of tough terrain bruiser with comfortable family cruiser. Plastic bumpers and guards surround a modern and sharp looking design, with LED lights flowing into a large grille. Roof rails are available and add a modern, urban feel to the vehicle. The raised ride height emphasises the off-roading ability.
In the interior, it gets a lot more luxurious. The spacious cabin is focused around the black facia which houses the multimedia infotainment system. The seven-inch touchscreen system syncs your phone to the car and creates an immersive digital entertainment experience.
Safety is a top priority, so the KUV100 is available with ABS, airbags, and a collapsible steering column, which ensures the steering wheel will fall away from the driver in the event of a car accident.
The entry-level Mahindra KUV100 comes standard with a 1.2 L engine boasting 115 Nm of torque. Power is delivered through a five-speed manual gearbox with the option to engage eco mode, a feature that limits engine output and minimises fuel usage.
Note: Some specifications are only available on premium models. If you want the premium specs added to the model you're interested in, connect with your nearest Mahindra dealership.
The base model Mahindra KUV100 K2 petrol retails from R155,999.
Mahindra has over 20 dealerships across the northern region of South Africa, with the most located in and around Gauteng.
Mahindra South Africa offers its own in-house vehicle financing service. You can apply for finance online to buy a Mahindra KUV100 or any other Mahindra vehicle by simply visiting their local website.
Graduate finance is also available, with the company offering special vehicle finance support for registered students looking to get their first vehicle. You can apply for graduate finance online too.
Mahindra is considered a lower risk vehicle for theft. According to Ctrack, a vehicle theft and recovery agency, Mahindra is among the least stolen SUV brands in South Africa.
This might be beneficial towards your car insurance premium, so keep this in mind when you're looking for car insurance for your Mahindra. To make sure you're getting the best deal on cover for your Mahindra, compare car insurance quotes online using the hippo.co.za car insurance comparison tool – it's quick, easy, and doesn't cost a thing to compare.
Mahindra Service plans are available as an option for all vehicles offered by Mahindra South Africa. They have optional three-year/60,000 km and five-year/100,000 km service plans available, with additional optional top-up service plans.
All of their service plans come with the Mahindra promise that all services conducted by approved service agents will be done using genuine Mahindra parts. They also guarantee a price lock on oil services for three years following the service.
Sources: Wikipedia; Mahindra SA; NAAMSA; Ctrack Theft Report
Prices quoted are correct at the time of publishing this article. The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice.
