[3WiseMen]

Since everyone has shared their thoughts on Pack 3 pricing, here’s my take:

1) The launch event was phenomenal. The features were unique and painted a fairytale — a belief that this would be the greatest EV product yet. We ignored the warning signs that M&M flagged: this is a luxury, premium product. The lucrative pricing of Pack One made us forget that such features would come at a cost. It led many of us, including me, to believe M&M would price it aggressively.
2) The buzz was real. Social media was flooded with posts, reels, and videos for weeks. That’s all the validation M&M wanted.
3) Then came the competition. Tata teased its Harrier EV with AWD and the Sierra rebirth. Hyundai revealed its trump card - the Creta EV, and Maruti entered the game, aiming for dominance in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. A price war was inevitable. No company wanted to reveal pricing first. Hyundai, however, struck first by opening Creta EV bookings. This likely threw off M&M’s pricing plans, making them cautious. The Bharat Mobility Show is shaping up to be quite an entertainer.
4) With the base model pricing declared, M&M stuck to their usual strategy: offer a 90% equivalent of a higher segment product at 75% of the cost. Hence, the Pack 3 price reveal. Comparatively, similar battery specs from other brands cost 45 lakh+ ex-showroom.
5) M&M held back pricing for mid-trims in Pack 2 and Pack 3. They’re adopting a wait-and-watch approach to counter competitors. These mid-trims will likely offer the best value and drive volumes.

Initially, like many, I was disappointed. I felt M&M priced it based on hype and missed a golden chance to convert ICE owners to EVs, much like MG did with the ZS. But then I realized the product and features justify the pricing. Nothing in this range, ICE or EV, offers similar value. To be able to bundle so many top tier OEM products at this price range is close to impossible. M&M has partnered with:
1) Valeo Motors: Trusted by Mercedes for their flagship EQS and BMW’s upcoming i models. These motors make M&M’s power figures competitive with the 45+ lakh segment.
2) BYD Blade Cells: Trusted by Tesla and the Suzuki-Toyota duo. A lifetime warranty shows confidence in reliability.
3) Mobileye: Used by BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen — a leading driver-assistance tech.
4) Qualcomm: Top-tier processors unmatched by competitors in the 45 lakh range.
5) Harman Kardon + Dolby Atmos: A 1400W HK system is unheard of in this range. For context, the BMW X5 has a similar setup but with only 464W. Audi charges over 5 lakhs extra for B&O sound and Matrix lights. These features are expensive, yet we criticize M&M while accepting them as gospel truth from other brands.
6) Koni Suspension: Trusted by BMW, Tesla, Jeep, and Mini. M&M has incorporated it into their recent models and they are doing quite well.

The backlash on social media after the price reveal feels unjustified. Let me share a personal story:

Three years ago, I dismissed M&M’s XUV700. I didn’t trust any Indian manufacturer and was ready to pay more for a Tiguan or C5 Aircross. But my family preferred the XUV700, and I went with it. Every day of ownership proved me wrong. The engine, transmission, suspension, and comfort were exceptional, making minor issues negligible. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying the car is perfect - but it is great value. After driving a BMW X5 for over 2,000 km in the UK this summer, which I believe is a very well engineered car - I couldn’t help but admire how well M&M have engineered and packaged the XUV700 at the price point.

The same applies here. The critics have praised how these new M&M BEVs drive. I’ll reserve my final judgment after the test drive. But as an Indian, I feel proud of what has been made. Who would have thought the makers of the Armada and Balero would one day produce globally competitive cars? M&M is leveling up, step by step. So, even if MG or BYD offer something similar, I’d pick a Mahindra any day.

[SatheeshP]

May be valuation is justified. Was considering this as only car and range is essential.

Luxury features like automated parking, ambient lighting, harmon sound system, triple screen display etc are not what I was looking for.

They could have packed these into a luxury variant. And keep the essential features with high 79 kwh battery under 25 ex-showroom lakh would have been better for 20-25 L buyers.

[07CR]

Originally Posted by SatheeshP

Luxury features like automated parking, ambient lighting, harmon sound system, triple screen display etc are not what I was looking for.

They could have packed these into a luxury variant. And keep the essential features with high 79 kwh battery under 25 ex-showroom lakh would have been better for 20-25 L buyers.

Pack 2 variant could deliver just the same as your expectation. It could be the real VFM variant.

[SatheeshP]

Originally Posted by 07CR

Pack 2 variant could deliver just the same as your expectation. It could be the real VFM variant.

Yes. If they keep it under 25L with 79Kwh / 360 / Ventilated Seats / ADAS (would be good to have), then I will go for it. Hope the wait is worth it.

[07CR]

Originally Posted by SatheeshP

Yes. If they keep it under 25L with 79Kwh / 360 / Ventilated Seats / ADAS (would be good to have), then I will go for it. Hope the wait is worth it.

Pack 2 with 79 Kwh @ <25L looks difficult since that would mean a delta of 5.5 lakhs with Pack 3. Pack 1 79 Kwh is possible at <25L.

[kgt.v8]

Mahindra definitely has not left space to price Pack2 79 kWH below ₹25 lakh. There is ₹8.6 lakh difference between base Pack1 and top end Pack3. A lot of components might be imported which attract more tax as compared to locally manufactured component. These international standard components could be contributor to high price of top end variant (Pack3 79kWH).

If I consider flat ₹2 lakh premium for 79 kWH battery, higher power (54 HP more) and torque, then there is possibility to get Pack2 below ₹25lakh.

Speculated price and variant spread:

1. Pack1 59 kWH - 21.90
2. Pack2 59 kWH - 24.50 (2.6 lakh more than Pack1 59 kWH)
3. Pack2 79 kWH - 26.50
4. Pack3 59 kWH - 28.50 (₹4 lakh more than Pack2 59 kWH)
5. Pack3 79 kWH - 30.50

XUV700 and Scorpio-N top end variants get 360 degree camera and ventilated seats, but 3XO gets 360 degree camera and ADAS in mid spec AX5L variant.

The wait for Pack2 reveal starts now. I hope we 360 degree camera without ADAS in Pack2 (just like 3XO AX5L but without ADAS) to keep price in check.

Pack1 with higher battery pack but lesser tuned engine could come 1-2 years later but not immediately as EV buyers typically put range as highest priority and 79 kWH base variant will not make buyers go for higher variant.

We should not compare XEV9E to BYD Atto3 based on price alone. Atto3 gets lower engine power and torque as compared to XEV9E. XEV9E is far ahead of products in 20-35 lakh range.
Atto3 cost is high because it was previously imported as SKD. BYD received homologation for Atto3 sometime back which made it possible to import as CKD and assemble Atto3 now in India. SKD and CKD have higher taxes compared to tax on individual components that are imported.

[newenergy]

Originally Posted by kgt.v8

Atto3 cost is high because it was previously imported as SKD. BYD received homologation for Atto3 sometime back which made it possible to import as CKD and assemble Atto3 now in India. SKD and CKD have higher taxes compared to tax on individual components that are imported.

Just a small correction, Atto 3 is still being imported as CBU. They had plans to do SKD then slowly start CKD but their JV with MEIL fell apart as our Govt rejected their investment proposal. So right now unless they have a new Indian partner (there were rumours of Adani/Anil Ambani) they will continue with CBU.

If BYD starts production here, it will kick start a new price war.

[Jekyl87]

I hate this trend of slow reveals. A car launch should happen with full information about the car, and pricing of all variants. Manufacturer may decide not to take booking of the lower variants if they want to do the higher ones first, but then why announce the price of it without any details? It's just fooling the public. They should then just announce the pack 3 since those are the only cars shown till now, have a plan of sale and announce the price for those. This should have been a simple launch announcing and showing one variant, why complicate it by showing one and announcing price of another? It's so mind boggling to me that everyone is ok with it and seems to have accepted it. Imagine a new airline launching like this. Showing features of first class - full concierge service, fully insulated private cabins, 7 course meals and full entertainment suite, but at the price of economy tickets onwards. And then tell you, hey, our current planes are not taking economy bookings. It's only the first class we showed you but it's significantly more expensive. Won't you feel cheated?

[kgt.v8]

Originally Posted by newenergy

Just a small correction, Atto 3 is still being imported as CBU.

If BYD starts production here, it will kick start a new price war.

Thanks for correcting me. If BYD can get a partner approved in India, they will be able to provide EVs at far lesser cost. I would buy an Atto3 top end if it was available at the price of MG ZS EV and about ₹25lakh max.

Originally Posted by Jekyl87

I hate this trend of slow reveals. A car launch should happen with full information about the car, and pricing of all variants.

It's so mind boggling to me that everyone is ok with it and seems to have accepted it. Imagine a new airline launching like this. Showing features of first class - full concierge service, fully insulated private cabins, 7 course meals and full entertainment suite, but at the price of economy tickets onwards. And then tell you, hey, our current planes are not taking economy bookings. It's only the first class we showed you but it's significantly more expensive. Won't you feel cheated?

I also don't like the current trend where car companies expect people to book without full variant specifications and all variant pricing. Mahindra launches for their ICE cars were so much better as compared to the BEV launch.

Such slow and long intervals between launches result in people losing interest over period of time. I hope Mahindra is able to provide test drive cars in next 4 days as per their Phase1 plan, so that actual buyers get to see the cars and make their decision whether to wait for Pack2 or go with ICE offerings.

[newenergy]

Originally Posted by kgt.v8

Such slow and long intervals between launches result in people losing interest over period of time. I hope Mahindra is able to provide test drive cars in next 4 days as per their Phase1 plan, so that actual buyers get to see the cars and make their decision whether to wait for Pack2 or go with ICE offerings.

I agree, product may be great but the launch and test drive situation is a mess. WoW program is also for those people who will most likely not buy any M&M while regular people kept waiting who are the actual potential buyers. I called a few dealers in Pune and they are quoting that they may receive the cars by 14-15th of Jan. Few dealers also suggesting Feb 1st week as test drives, so it’s all a mess. No one knows the exact date they will actually get the cars. If M&M weren’t ready they could have just waited it out and revealed all variants all at once instead of doing this confusing release.

[mtnrajdeep]

I have been trying to get some perspective on how big the XEV is but have not been able to find any pictures of it next to Scorpio-N or XUV700. Anyone has any pictures?

It definitely feels that it is more expensive but if the car is bigger, it may be justified. Also, spending 30 big ones on version 1 of Mahindra feels a bit risky.

I was very interested in purchasing it but now I am on the fence.

[kgt.v8]

Originally Posted by mtnrajdeep

I have been trying to get some perspective on how big the XEV is but have not been able to find any pictures of it next to Scorpio-N or XUV700. Anyone has any pictures?

It definitely feels that it is more expensive but if the car is bigger, it may be justified. Also, spending 30 big ones on version 1 of Mahindra feels a bit risky.

I was very interested in purchasing it but now I am on the fence.

I remember seeing one 9E video where it was parked next to XUV700. I can't seem to find it anymore.

9E crossing XUV500 on street


9E next to Thar Roxx on street

The top of 9E is reaching closer to the height of rear door window of Thar Roxx. My guess is the height of 9E might be similar to Scorpio-N or may be 10-15cm less than Scorpio-N.

Snaps taken from YouTube video

Link

[t2k4]

Originally Posted by newenergy

I called a few dealers in Pune and they are quoting that they may receive the cars by 14-15th of Jan. Few dealers also suggesting Feb 1st week as test drives, so it’s all a mess. No one knows the exact date they will actually get the cars.

Per the publicly available information:

Mahindra opened the option to ‘add your preference’ starting 7 January. A three-phase process for the test drives will follow this. The latter will begin in six cities on 14 January as a part of phase 1, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, and Hyderabad.


Similarly, phase 2 of the test drives will commence on 24 January in Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Cochin, Coimbatore, Goa, Howrah, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Surat, Vadodara, Chandigarh, and Trichy.

In Phase 3, test drives will begin on a pan-India basis from 7 February.

[newenergy]

Originally Posted by t2k4

Per the publicly available information:

Mahindra opened the option to ‘add your preference’ starting 7 January. A three-phase process for the test drives will follow this. The latter will begin in six cities on 14 January as a part of phase 1, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, and Hyderabad.


Similarly, phase 2 of the test drives will commence on 24 January in Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Cochin, Coimbatore, Goa, Howrah, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Surat, Vadodara, Chandigarh, and Trichy.

In Phase 3, test drives will begin on a pan-India basis from 7 February.

Yes I am aware of the same and added 9e to my account. But the ground reality is not all dealers will have the cars by 14th (phase 1 announced cities). To add to frustration, the dealer themselves have little to no information on when they might receive. That is the reason I said the test drive situation is a mess.

[TokyoDrifter]

A friend had the WOW test drive invite. Tagged along with him.

My take:

XEV 9E >> BE 6 on all fronts.


BE 6 will be a halo product imho. Sure it’ll sell - but won’t have long waiting queues or price increases. It’s all factor over form blah blah — it’s absolutely got spartan interiors, and takes one a decade back or even more in terms of in-cabin experience.

XEV 9E seems like a well-rounded BEV. Surely a better car than many 5-seater options in the Indian market right now in the <35L price category.

BUT: the little time I got to fiddle with the touch control on the screen and stuff — it seems like a Symbian(OS) Tablet than an iPad Pro or even the Google Nexus Tablet. Every other product beats this one on that spectrum. If someone’s more into driving by themselves, they’ll think twice. If someone’s got the luxury to be chauffeur driven everywhere with only occasional short self-drives to near-by malls — boom, we have a winner!