Mahindra & Mahindra launched its new light-truck, the Maxximo, in Mumbai this week. The Maxximo is priced at Rs 2.79 lakh (ex-showroom, Navi Mumbai), and complies with the Bharat Stage III emission norms. It will compete directly with the current leader in the light-truck segment, Tata Motors’ Ace, which is priced at Rs 2.78 lakh and complies with BS II norms. Mr Rajesh Jejurikar, M&M Chief of Operations (Automotive), said that the light truck segment in India, which stands at 10,000 units a month, is dominated by just one player, and that the Maxximo will change that. The Tata Ace commands over a 90 percent market share in the segment.

The Maxximo has a payload capacity of 850 kg, and comes with a fuel efficiency of 20 km per litre of diesel. M&M will launch a passenger variant of the vehicle in the coming months, along with a CNG engine. It will produce 2,000 units of the Maxximo till April, and 3,000 units thereafter.