Scorpio SUVs for police

By Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

Ideal Motors, Mahindra's sole distributor for automobiles in Sri Lanka, was awarded a tender from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to purchase 485 units of the Scorpio LX 4WD SUV for the Sri Lankan Police recently.

Chairman, Ideal Motors, Nalin Welgama said that the first consignment of 137 units was handed over to Inspector General of Police, N.K. Illangakoon, at Police Headquarters recently.

The Scorpio LX 4WD currently stands as the premium off-road vehicle in the Mahindra line-up. 475 units will be distributed islandwide amongst the police, replacing vehicles of their fleet, while 10 units will be used by the MoD Launched in 2002, the Scorpio won three 'Car of the Year' awards (BBC World's Wheels, CNBC Autocar, BS Motoring).

The vehicle edged out most SUVs and emerged as 'The Most Appealing Sports Utility Vehicle' in the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2010 India APEAL (Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout) study.

The Scorpio also topped the SUV/MUV category in the TNS Total Customer Satisfaction Study 2010. "Since its launch in Sri Lanka the Scorpio has created a niche for itself in the country's automobile industry. An unbeatable combination of stylish good looks and robust performance, it offers consumers a great value proposition," said Welgama.

President - Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Chairman - SsangYong Motor Company, Korea, Dr. Pawan Goenka, said, "We are delighted that the Scorpio LX 4W is the SUV of choice for the Sri Lankan police as well as for the MoD.

The Scorpio is noted for its tough and rugged nature and its go-anywhere capability. I am sure it will prove to be an asset to the police and the MoD in their operations". the Scorpio continued to outperform other SUVs in 2008, 2009 and 2010 at the Raid de Himalaya, one of the most gruelling rallies on the Indian motorsports calendar. The Scorpio was also launched to much acclaim in international markets such as Brazil, Chile, Egypt, Peru, Italy, Algeria and South Africa.

The Scorpio's online community has crossed the significant milestone of half a million on Facebook.

This makes the Scorpio Facebook online community one of the largest online auto communities on Facebook.

The Scorpio is manufactured by India's US $ 12.5 billion Mahindra Group which operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology and vacation ownership. Mahindra has a presence in the automotive industry, agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheel industries.

In 2011, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. Dun & Bradstreet also ranked Mahindra at No. 1 in the automobile sector in its list of India's Top 500 Companies.

In 2010, Mahindra featured in the Credit Suisse Great Brands of Tomorrow. In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea's SsangYong Motor Company.

In the same year, Mahindra launched a new brand identity.