Mahindra entered the small LCV segment with the Maxximo mini-truck. Mahindra had announced that the Maxximo will also be launched in other fuel options. The company had showcased the electric concept of the Maxximo at the 2010 Delhi Auto Expo.
Our friends at Motorbeam have caught the CNG version of the Maxximo mini-truck on test on Dehu road in Pune. The company had loaded the truck with cans to test the weight carrying capacity of the mini truck.
The Maxximo is powered by a 2-cylinder, 8-valve, CRDe motor with DOHC technology and produces 25 HP of power and 55 Nm of torque. Top speed is 70 kmph and the Maxximo can carry 850 kgs in its loading bay.
Currently Maxximo is the second largest mini-truck in terms of sales, selling about 16-20 thousand units per month. The Tata Ace sells more than double is still the segment leader. The mini truck segment has witnessed decent competition from other players like Piaggio, Force and the new enrant Ashok Leyland which has launched the Dost LCV.
Mahindra will have the first mover advantage in the mini truck with CNG fuel option if launched early. It will to increase its sales mainly in the NCR, parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat where CNG fuel is easily available.
The company may price the CNG variant by about 40,000-50,000 higher than the current version.
Mahindra may launch it at the 2012 Auto Expo.
Image Source: Motorbeam
