Mahindra has announced that it has “billed the first 14,000 units of the XUV700” and that cumulative bookings for the model are very close to the 1,00,000 mark. With unprecedented demand and the ongoing chip shortage, waiting periods of the SUV have also soared, stretching up to almost two years in certain cases.
- Waiting period ranges from seven months (MX) to almost two years (AX7 L)
- Upcoming AX7 Smart trim expected to bring down lead times
- 35 percent XUV700 customers opt for petrol, 60 percent for automatics
Mahindra XUV700: where does the order book stand
Mahindra began delivering petrol versions of the SUV from October 30 last year, and the diesel variants began reaching customers from November-end.
The homegrown automaker started accepting bookings for the model from October 7. Within two days, it received 50,000 orders. The figure grew to 65,000 bookings within two weeks, and since then, Mahindra has added another 35,000 orders to its tally.
Considering the number of vehicles delivered, about 86,000 customers are yet to get the keys to their XUV700.
With the double whammy of high demand and semiconductor crisis, waiting periods have soared. The range-topping AX7 Luxury trim currently commands a lead time of around 84 weeks, or about one year and eight months. Other variants equipped with the AdrenoX infotainment system – namely the AX3, AX5 and AX7 – have a minimum wait time of eight months.
The entry-level MX trim also comes with a waiting period of around seven months, if booked now. Earliest deliveries for the XUV700, if booked now, can be expected around Diwali this year, depending on the variant.
Mahindra XUV700: demand still remains strong
Demand for the Mahindra still remains high – many dealers have reported that people are willing to put down their money for the SUV, despite the long wait. The XUV700’s extensive features list and powertrains options, then, seem to have found favour among the buyers.
What also seems to be working well for the company is the process it’s put in place to weed out ambiguity and help customers track the status of their ordered vehicles. The system is seemingly sophisticated and it gives regular and accurate updates to buyers about the on-ground situation – something that we’ve been able to corroborate with customers who’ve already received their vehicles.
Mahindra XUV700: Smart variant has lesser waiting
Dealers are also suggesting customers to switch to lower variants which come with shorter waiting periods. And as we’ve already reported, Mahindra will soon launch an AX7 Smart trim for the SUV that will undercut the range-topping AX7 Luxury variant by about Rs 80,000. With a few feature deletions, the model will use fewer semiconductor chips, improving its lead time.
Mahindra XUV700: price and rivals
The Mahindra XUV700 can be had either as a 5-seater or a 7-seater. It is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol or a 2.2-litre diesel mill, with the choice of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox on offer. The diesel also gets an optional all-wheel drive layout on the higher trims.
Mahindra says that the petrol version accounts for about 35 percent of the bookings received thus far, and that the automatics make up for the bulk of the demand, with a 60 percent share in the order bank.
The XUV700 is currently priced at Rs 12.96 lakh-23.80 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The two-row version rivals the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier and the MG Hector. Meanwhile, the three-row iteration of the XUV700 goes up against the Hyundai Alcazar, Tata Safari and MG Hector Plus.
Would you book a Mahindra XUV700, despite a long waiting period? Or would you opt for one of its rivals? Let us know in the comments below.
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