Isuzu has discretely launched the two vehicles that were caught on test many times around the Pune area in the last few months - MU-7 and D-Max - in India.
A small dealership has been inaugurated in Hyderabad where the first set of products will be sold on a test basis.
The MU-7 is a pickup-based SUV, whereas the D-Max pickup (which underpins the MU-7) comes in two avatars - single cab and crew cab. These products are launched in India through the CBU route using the Thailand manufacturing plant (plans to sanction a manufacturing facility in India in the next few years are reportedly under discussion) and are to test the waters in the competitive Indian utility vehicle market, that is mostly constituted by products wearing either the Mahindra or the Tata badge.
The MU-7 has been priced at 23.75 lakh rupees, while the single cab and crew cab editions of the D-Max are priced at 6.87 lakh rupees and 8.09 lakh rupees (all prices are ex-showroom Hyderabad).
The Hindu Business Line reports that Isuzu's second dealership will be inaugurated in Coimbatore shortly.
Even if it is only on a trial basis, we think Isuzu must hold a national press conference to announce its foray into India, conduct a press drive, and showcase these vehicles with its designers or engineers demonstrating some of the features, and the marketing team explaining the brand positioning in what is an ocean of automotive market. India is a very busy marketplace for automobiles, and a new launch, say even from a reputed brand, is forgotten in a matter of days.
[Source - Thehindubusinessline.com]
