..:: AUTO REPORT AFRICA ::..
Related Articles
Mahindra has launched the S10 Karoo Edition Pick-Up into the South African market even as it celebrates the surge in vehicle sales following its recent brand repositioning and marketing campaign .
“The Mahindra Pick-Up S10 Karoo Edition is an encore to the special S6 Karoo Edition, which was launched in December last year and which sold out very quickly. With the higher S10 specification level, this model is sure to sell out as fast,” CEO, Mahindra South Africa, Rajesh Gupta, said.
The reimagined Mahindra Pick-Up Karoo Edition will launch with the S10 Pick-Up specification level, which means that it will include satellite navigation, cruise control and a multi-function steering wheel, before the addition of the Karoo trim.
In the Karoo S10 Limited Edition, Mahindra has added a special black cosmetic package, which includes blacked out off-road alloy wheels, a dark nudge bar and a dark branded roll bar.
Mahindra also added a tonneau cover, flared rear wheel arches that complement the front arches, and a wind deflector kit on both the front and rear windows. The special edition is available in either white or silver.
For this special S10 edition, Mahindra will give buyers the option of the Karoo Edition cosmetic package or a colour coded canopy. This means that buyers can opt for the S10 Karoo Edition or an S10 with a white or silver colour coded Beekman luxury canopy, for the same price.
“The special Karoo Edition of our S10 Pick-Up will be available in limited numbers and will be immediately identifiable thanks to a larger decal set that stretches from edge to edge between the wheel arches,” Gupta said.
The Karoo Edition gets its name from the tongue-in-cheek brand campaign and accompanying TV advertisement in which an intrepid adventurer moves heaven and earth to find a lost lamb. The campaign was conceptualised and filmed in South Africa by Mahindra and its advertising agency, Joe Public.
Mahindra has confirmed that the first batch of S10 Karoo Edition Pick-Ups have been completely taken up by dealers and that it will assemble a second consignment at its new assembly facility in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
“While we want to keep the numbers limited to add to the Karoo Edition’s appeal, we have listened to our dealers who report that the initial demand far outstrips supply.”
One of the secrets to the S10 Karoo Edition’s appeal is its price, which is a mere R5 000 more than the standard S10 model. This means buyers can opt for the 4×2 Double Cab Pick-Up Karoo Edition for R337 999 or the 4×4 version for R368 999. Both models are sold with a 4-year / 120 000 km warranty and a 5-year / 90 000 km service plan.
“Even with the additional specifications, the S10 Pik Up Karoo Edition is still one of the most affordable quality double cab bakkies on the market. And with our South African plant now fully operational, we can ensure that every Pik Up is perfectly suited to local market needs,” said Gupta.
Mahindra officially opened its assembly facility in May 2018 and has since produced the entire range of Pik Up models locally. While it has reached full production capacity for the first phase of the facility, it has the capacity to offer unique and custom models for South African bakkie enthusiasts.
Mahindra South Africa is a fully-owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra of India, which was established in 1945. Mahindra SA is celebrating its 14th year of operations in South Africa.
The company has dealers in all nine provinces of South Africa, which are comprehensive facilities that handle sales, service and spare parts. With 60 dealerships, in cities and in towns across Southern Africa, Mahindra has a growing national footprint that is moving ever deeper into communities as the company continues its drive to offer value-for-money products and services to its customers.
The company has recently inaugurated its vehicle assembly facility at Durban for its bakkies. Mahindra South Africa also offers wide range of powerful and fuel efficient diesel gensets under brand “Powerol” and have introduced Mahindra Earthmasters 4X4 TLBs recently.
The company has also expanded into other sub-Saharan countries, currently exporting vehicles to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland and Namibia.
Mahindra South Africa has achieved significant growth in the country since its establishment in October 2004, and since then it has sold approximately 40 000 vehicles.
