Category: Mahindra Pik-Up
Celebrating 20 Years Of Mahindra In South Africa: A Journey Of Growth And Innovation
Posted by Group1 Mahindra on 29 Nov 2024
Celebrating 20 years of Mahindra in South Africa
Since its arrival in 2004, Mahindra has become a steadfast presence on South African roads, known for its rugged vehicles and customer-first approach. From launching its first Bolero Pick-Up to opening a local assembly plant in Durban, the brand has gone from strength to strength.
Today, Mahindra boasts a sprawling dealership network and a product lineup tailored to the South African lifestyle. As we celebrate two decades of Mahindra’s presence in Mzansi, let’s take a closer look at the key milestones that have made this journey so remarkable and why the brand continues to resonate with local drivers.
Bird’s Eye View Timeline:
Celebrating 20 years of Mahindra in South Africa
2004
Mahindra entered the South African market, introducing the Bolero Pick-Up and Scorpio SUV. These models quickly gained popularity due to their affordability, ruggedness, and versatility, particularly appealing to South Africa’s farming and small business sectors.
Mahindra’s entry was significant, as it brought an emerging global automotive brand to a market dominated by established players. The Bolero became known for its reliability on tough terrains, while the Scorpio impressed with its spaciousness and SUV practicality. This strategic entry marked the start of Mahindra’s journey to becoming a trusted name in the South African automotive landscape.
Celebrating 20 years of Mahindra in South Africa
2008
The introduction of the locally assembled MaxiTruck was a game-changer for Mahindra in South Africa. This move reduced costs and allowed Mahindra to better meet the needs of its growing customer base, emphasising affordability without compromising on quality.
By establishing an assembly process within the country, Mahindra showcased its long-term commitment to the South African market. The MaxiTruck was particularly attractive to small businesses, offering a reliable and cost-effective solution for transport. This step also helped Mahindra establish itself as a brand that values local economic participation.
Celebrating 20 years of Mahindra in South Africa
2012
With the launch of the XUV500, Mahindra ventured into the premium SUV segment, signalling its ambitions to cater to higher-end customers. This model stood out with its bold design, advanced technology, and comfortable interiors, challenging competitors in a more lucrative market segment.
The XUV500 appealed to South Africans looking for a blend of performance and style, making it a favourite for both urban commuters and adventure seekers. The launch demonstrated Mahindra’s ability to innovate and adapt to diverse customer needs, further solidifying its foothold in the country.
Celebrating 20 years of Mahindra in South Africa
2017
Mahindra achieved its highest year-on-year sales growth, with a remarkable 35% increase. This surge was attributed to the growing trust in the Mahindra brand, competitive pricing, and the popularity of models like the Pik-Up and Bolero.
Mahindra’s expanding dealership network and improved customer support also played a pivotal role. This milestone highlighted the brand’s evolution from a niche player to a formidable competitor in South Africa’s automotive industry. It also reinforced Mahindra’s position as a brand offering value for money without compromising on quality.
Celebrating 20 years of Mahindra in South Africa
2018
The opening of Mahindra’s local assembly facility in Durban was a pivotal moment. This facility enabled the production of popular models like the Pik-Up at a lower cost, enhancing affordability for local buyers. The launch of the next-generation Pik-Up Double Cab in the same year further showcased Mahindra’s focus on innovation and meeting customer needs.
This model, with its modern features and robust build, was well-received by families and businesses alike. The Durban facility also underscored Mahindra’s investment in the local economy, creating jobs and fostering skills development.
Celebrating 20 years of Mahindra in South Africa
2019
The introduction of the Pik-Up Karoo Edition was a direct response to South African consumers’ needs. This model was designed with enhanced features tailored to the rugged conditions of South Africa, making it an ideal workhorse for the agricultural and construction sectors.
The Karoo Edition also stood out for its aesthetic upgrades, adding a touch of style to its practicality. Its launch solidified Mahindra’s reputation for understanding and catering to local preferences. This year further established Mahindra as a brand deeply connected to its South African customer base.
Celebrating 20 years of Mahindra in South Africa
2020
The Mahindra Pik-Up became one of the top-performing vehicles in the highly competitive pick-up category in South Africa. Its durability, affordability, and functionality resonated with both urban and rural buyers.
In addition, Mahindra’s after-sales service quality earned industry accolades, demonstrating the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction. This recognition positioned Mahindra as a trusted choice for buyers seeking long-term reliability and excellent support. The Pik-Up’s success in 2020 reflected the brand’s growing dominance in the utility vehicle market.
Celebrating 20 years of Mahindra in South Africa
2023
Mahindra expanded its dealership network to 95 locations across South Africa, ensuring greater accessibility for customers nationwide. This milestone also highlighted Mahindra’s focus on community engagement and customer convenience.
The Pik-Up won the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards for Best Value Workhorse, solidifying its status as a market leader in affordability and practicality. This achievement was a testament to Mahindra’s consistent quality and innovation, even in the face of stiff competition. It also reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to meeting the needs of South African consumers.
Celebrating 20 years of Mahindra in South Africa
2024
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in South Africa, Mahindra marked two decades of growth, innovation, and customer trust. The launch of the new XUV3OO showcased Mahindra’s continued focus on cutting-edge design and technology, appealing to younger and more tech-savvy buyers.
Significant production milestones were also achieved at the Durban facility, underscoring the brand’s industrial capabilities. This year’s celebrations not only honoured past achievements but also signalled Mahindra’s aspirations for an even brighter future in South Africa.
Mahindra’s 20-year journey in South Africa is a story of perseverance, innovation, and meaningful connections with local communities. From assembling vehicles in Durban to launching models uniquely suited to our terrain, Mahindra has proven itself as a brand that listens and delivers.
As the automotive landscape evolves, Mahindra remains committed to creating vehicles and services that cater to South Africans’ diverse needs. Stay tuned to the Group1 Mahindra blog for more updates, milestones, and stories from the automotive world – because the journey doesn’t end here!
Image source: Mahindra SA, Wikipedia – Mahindra Scorpio and Wikipedia – Mahindra XUV500
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Everything You Need to Know About The ‘22 Pik Up Karoo Expedition
Posted by Group1 Mahindra on 26 Oct 2022
Don’t you just love it when a carmaker puts their creations to the ultimate test? This is exactly what Mahindra South Africa did when they sent their newly released Mahindra Pik Up Karoo DUSK, DAWN, and STORM vehicles on an uncharted 21-day adventure through three southern African countries.
Following Clues Through South Africa, Namibia And Lesotho
Expedition leader, Hardy De Kock, and fellow adventurers Peter King, Jaco du Plessis and Chantal Burger were the lucky drivers who got to pilot the new Karoo bakkies (unveiled locally in July) on an incredible three-day adventure. The made-for-purpose adventure bakkies came with the brand promise to ‘unleash the explorer in you’ and the Pik Up Karoo Expedition set out to do just that.
De Kock’s team covered 8,580km covered through South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho, seeking out clues about their route as they went. This included a lot of very challenging terrain. Think corrugated back roads in the Kahalari, shifting sand dunes in the Namib, treacherous Richersveld tracks, and more.
Incredible Performance Across All Terrains
De Kock and his team returned home after three full weeks of adventuring with only the highest praise for the Mahindra Pik Up Karoo DUSK, Karoo DAWN, and Karoo STORM vehicles. Even though they went out of their way to put the vehicles through their paces, there were no issues in sight, and the bakkies surpassed their expectations at every turn. In fact, De Kock promptly requested to buy the Pik Up he drove up on their return!
So, what set the Karoo models apart on the road? Here are a few of the aspects that stood out for the adventuring team as they made their way through some of southern Africa’s most beautiful and challenging regions:
- Unique, heavy-duty suspension
- 16″ hardened alloy rims
- Off-road tyres with a tough tread pattern
- Custom-designed approach and departure bumpers with recovery points
- Shift-on-the-fly 4×4 system with auto-locking rear differential
What a journey it must have been! Take a deep dive here if you want to see how it all went down.
Keen to pave the way for adventures of your own? Get in touch with the Group 1 Mahindra team at our branches in Midrand or Kuils River to book a test drive today. There is simply no better way to get a feeling of what the Mahindra Karoo is capable of than settling behind the wheel – and we can even bring the bakkie to you…
The post Everything You Need to Know About The ‘22 Pik Up Karoo Expedition appeared first on Group1 Mahindra Blog.
Mahindra Pik Up Karoo DUSK DAWN and STORM Editions
Posted by Group1 Mahindra on 05 Aug 2022
New Mahindra Karoo Special Edition Bakkies
Considering the competitive nature of South Africa’s bakkie segment, standing out and staying relevant can be challenging. However, the Mahindra Pik Up Karoo seems to have the right recipe as the carmaker is introducing three special editions to extend its local range of tough, reliable and affordable bakkies.
Mahindra has taken inspiration from the spectacular Karoo landscape to create limited-edition vehicles. The Mahindra Pik Up Karoo DUSK, Karoo DAWN, and Karoo STORM vehicles are designed to convey the quality of an authentic brand built around the fundamental needs of consumers who need dependable and capable bakkies that allow them to explore even the toughest terrain.
The impressive and highly popular Mahindra Pik Up Karoo deserves all the praise, especially since the locally designed bakkie in Durban has seen impressive sales figures. They’ve also recently rolled out the 10,000th vehicle which shows a significant growth in production as a result of the vehicle’s popularity.
In fact, the Mahindra Pik Up has been one of the fastest-growing bakkie brands in the last five years largely due to the combination of reliability and capability.
What’s New On The Mahindra Pik Up Karoo Special Edition?
All three special edition models share the underpinnings of the upgraded Mahindra Pik Up Karoo platform. The Karoo range now features new decals as standard, branded Karoo interior carpets, a nudge bar and a load bin-mounted sports bar with special Karoo detailing.
The Mahindra Pik Up Karoo DUSK, Karoo DAWN and Karoo STORM offer many of the same features that made the first edition such a success. But, they’ve added several new features, including an all-leather interior, custom paint colours, an upgraded HD 9″ infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and built-in maps.
When it comes to ruggedness and overall refinement, all three special Mahindra Pik Up Karoo models get the following:
- Heavy-duty off-road suspension
- Off-road tyres and hardened 4×4 rims (including one for the spare wheel)
- Front and rear steel bumpers for better off-road clearance
- Front bumper with special LED driving lights
- Bumpers are securely anchored to the chassis with recovery and hitching points
- Rear step with non-slip diamond plating
- Rubberised load bins
- Rear over-fenders
All of these features give the bakkie a purposeful, aggressive stance while clearly differentiating each special edition model from the rest of the line-up.
What About The Interior?
All of the Mahindra Pik Up Karoo special editions have the same stylish, modern and comfortable interior with leather seats and many other features, including the following:
- Touchscreen infotainment system with reverse camera
- Bluetooth phone connectivity
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability
- Cruise control
- Climate control
- Multi-function steering wheel
- Power Steering
- Electric windows
- Central locking
- 12V Charging Points – Front and Rear
- Rain Sensing Windscreen Wipers
- Follow Me Home Headlamps
- Light Sensing Headlamps
- Static Bending Headlamps
- One Touch Lane Change Indicator
- Remote Fuel Cap (Electrically Operated)
- Puddle lamps
- Armrest for Driver and Co-Driver
Power, Performance and Safety
The Mahindra Pik Up Karoo special editions are generously powered by the legendary 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder mHawk turbodiesel engine delivering 103 kW and 320 Nm of torque through a six-speed automatic gearbox. Not only does it offer a sense of reliability second to none but it provides effortless acceleration and all the power you need for on-road and off-road credentials performance.
For its size, the Mahindra Pik Up Karoo special editions provide a respectable combined fuel economy of 9.3L/100km. Payload capacity is right up there at 995 kg while the braked towing capacity is 2,500kg and 750kg unbraked. With ground clearance of 210mm and generous approach, departure and break-over angles, these off-roaders are seriously impressive.
In terms of safety, all three Karoo models benefit from ABS, EBD, driver and passenger airbags, autolocking doors, side impact protection bars, collapsible steering column and Isofix Child Seat Anchors. Here is a brief summary of each special edition.
Mahindra Pik Up Karoo DUSK
The new and improved Karoo DUSK model is inspired by the pitch-black nights you can only experience in a desert setting. With the Karoo DUSK and nightfall as visual inspiration, Mahindra wrapped the Karoo DUSK in a matt black film and finished off with black and blue Karoo decals.
One of the standout offroad features of the Pik Up Karoo DUSK is the uprated suspension system. It includes heavy-duty gas-filled offroad shock absorbers, heavy-duty, custom leaf springs and new suspension bushes which all contribute to exceptional performance on tough terrain.
The Mahindra Pik Up Karoo DUSK has a colour-coded sports bar on the load bin, side-mounted steel steps, over fenders and a roller shutter to keep your sporting equipment, fishing or camping gear safe and secure.
Mahindra Pik Up Karoo DAWN
The Mahindra Pik Up Karoo DAWN is the first of the new additions to the range. Taking inspiration from the glorious colours of early Karoo mornings, it’s finished in a sandy beige colour that is popular among farmers and those looking to explore the road less travelled.
Mahindra’s designers captured the colours of the desert beautifully; leading to the unique body colour and the rich orange highlights in the special Karoo decals. The Mahindra Pik Up Karoo DAWN shares all the same features as the Karoo DUSK, except for the roller shutter door and long sports bar. Instead, they’ve added an additional heavy-duty roof rack and flush-mounted tonneau cover.
Mahindra Pik Up Karoo STORM
The third special edition is the Mahindra Pik Up Karoo STORM which was inspired by the stunningly beautiful, and rare, Karoo rainSTORMs and similarly named poems. This model captures the sudden change in the Karoo desert with clouds building and the sky changing colour indicating that a STORM is coming.
To visualise the special experience of being in a Karoo STORM, Mahindra finished the Pik Up Karoo STORM in a unique light blue hue. By referencing the smell of wet desert soil and the calmness that follows a quick and violent downpour, it is perfectly accentuated by the black-and-grey Karoo decals.
It too has a factory-fitted approach and departure bumper, a rubberised load bay, tonneau cover and special off-road rims and tyres but no roof racks. The Mahindra Pik Up Karoo STORM also gets a full leather interior and tough-as-nails rubber mats.
Final Thoughts: Mahindra’s Special Edition Pik Ups
Whether you’re a farmer, builder, experienced off-road warrior or a weekend overland adventurer, the Mahindra Pik Up Karoo special editions are up to the task. Here is what Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa had to say:
“The Karoo nameplate signifies our commitment to South Africa and the way South Africans have adopted the Pik Up lifestyle range as their desire to ‘Unleash the Explorer in You’ and enjoy the adventure and family fun. This is equally true of our new Karoo DAWN, DUSK and STORM models, and we are very excited to showcase our range of Authentic Bakkies to our fans.”
If you would like to find out more about the Mahindra Pik-Up Karoo special editions or to book a test drive, please contact Group1 Mahindra in Midrand or Kuils River.
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January 2022 Saw Record Sales From Mahindra
Posted by Group1 Mahindra on 08 Feb 2022
1000 Mahindra cars sold in January 2022!
January 2022 has seen the most Mahindra vehicles sold in South Africa since it launched in South Africa 18-years ago, according to figures released by NAAMSA. This is a massive 77% increase over the same month in 2021. And although the early ’21 sales were subdued by COVID, this January’s sales shine because they beat the excellent pre-pandemic years of 2018 and ’19.
What makes these sales even more significant is that they happened despite the worldwide supply chain disruptions and lingering COVID storms in the Northern Hemisphere hampering stock and parts availability in South Africa.
The locally-manufactured Pik Up range is still the company’s best-seller – 618 units sold in Jan. This keeps it in the list of South Africa’s three fastest-growing bakkies. Top trim models such as the Pik Up Karoo Dusk and the new Pik Up S6 DC AT were primary drivers of sales in this model.
The KUV100 NXT also recorded excellent sales, proving the demand for an affordable, economical, yet highly capable compact SUV. The evergreen Scorpio, especially the Adventure model, was very popular as a versatile family car.
The expected South African launch of the new Mahindra XUV700 model later this year is expected to build on the excellent sales so far.
Mahindra’s achievements are the results of a serious commitment and hard work over a long time. It first entered the South African market in 2004 with the intention of making this country it’s second home outside of India. Since then it has invested steadily in its dealer network and customer service to make sure its growth was matched by its service and support capacity.
Over the last four years, the company has expanded its South African footprint significantly with several major investments. These included a new assembly facility in Durban, and a large new training centre for technical and sales staff, as well as a specialised vehicle fitment centre in Gauteng.
At the same time, the company has supported its dealer network to expand to larger and more modern facilities with greater floor space and a bigger staff complement.
“The past two years have been tough, but our dealer network and the team kept their morale and momentum high and it has borne fruit,” said Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa. He attributed the new sales record to the hard work of team Mahindra SA and its 72 dealers, as well as the South African motoring public’s fondness for well-built, well-priced vehicles.
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