Mahindra Marazzo & KUV NXT To Be Discontinued In India – Report

Mahindra-Marazzo

Mahindra Marazzo MPV and KUV micro SUV will be phased out due to low demand but the latter will make a comeback with an electric powertrain

According to a recent report emerged on the internet, Mahindra & Mahindra will discontinue the entry-level KUV NXT and the Marazzo MPV in the Indian market to focus more on new volume bearing segments. Both the KUV and Marazzo garner low sales volumes for the homegrown UV manufacturer and the latter’s 1.5-litre turbo petrol plan has also been shelved.

Mahindra sold only 21 units of the KUV NXT and 71 units of the Marazzo MPV through this calendar year. Despite being a highly capable spacious MPV with good driving characteristics and a likeable D15 diesel engine, the Marazzo could not fetch high volumes for the brand. Positioned between Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Toyota Innova Crysta, the Marazzo debuted back in September 2018.

This is not the first time a Mahindra people mover could not stand the test of time as the Ertiga and Innova Crysta have proven to be the buyer favourites. The Marazzo got off to a good start in India as more than 3,800 units were sold in its first full month and it reached 20,000 unit sales within seven months of its market debut but it was not quite enough.

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The volumes declined in recent times steeply to three digits averaging less than 180 units over the last four months. The Marazzo has long been expected to get the 1.5-litre four-cylinder mStallion turbocharged petrol engine as it was displayed at the 2020 Auto Expo and instead, it will be used by the updated XUV500 five-seater codenamed S301.

The report further indicated that a Ford MPV based on the Marazzo was also given up due to the proposed JV not coming into fruition. Just as the Marazzo, the KUV NXT is also uniquely positioned as it opened up the micro SUV space, which will most likely see rivals from Tata and Hyundai within a year.

Mahindra recently confirmed that it won’t make smaller SUVs, hatchbacks and sedans anymore as it wants to stick by its traditional route of making large SUVs. The KUV will make a comeback as an electric vehicle as the eKUV will likely be launched early next year with a claimed driving range of 147 km on a single charge.