You are here : Mahindra Scorpio - Sting In The Tail
The Scorpio promptly drives itself into the 'Evolution' salon, and comes out sporting no less than forty-three new features. We spent our time counting them. The lamb-cheese balls were just an aside
Story: Jayesh Jagasia Photography: Kunal Khadse...
There is 'build up', and then there is 'overkill'. One item number before the unveiling of a new car is 'build up'. Four is 'overkill'. Five, mind you, compels one's brain to slip into a comatose bout of absolute mind-numbness. M&M, for some arcane reason, decided to treat us to six - no less - item numbers before bringing out the real hero of the show, the 'All New Mahindra Scorpio'. 'C'mon, c'mon, get on with it nowâ€, that was me shouting in my mind.
A little more than three years ago, Mahindra & Mahindra took the first hesitant steps towards making the switch from being a utility-vehicle maker to a manufacturer of vehicles that would appeal to a wider range of audiences. Many years of fervent development and close to Rs 600 crore later, we had the Scorpio - Mahindra's answer to the Tata Safari, and in many ways India's own true-blue affordable SUV.
However laudable that effort be (and it really is laudable), the Scorpio had niggles that it could have very well done without. M&M, at the same time, were also taking apprehensive and yet ambitious steps towards transforming themselves into a customer-centric car manufacturer. Questionnaires, telephone chats, evolution clinics were all aimed at determining what customers loved about the Scorpio, what they did not like and what they absolutely detested. The research and customer feedback formed the platform for the Scorpio's next iteration - 'chiselled on the template of changing customer needs', as any of M&M's corporate communications boffins would go to great lengths to explain. Er...yes, of course.
The marketing team, meanwhile, has been practically obsessed with just one figure - forty-three. Last heard, the only answer one could elicit from them was - yes, you guessed it - 'forty-three'. "Sir, how many kids do you have?" "Forty-three. All of them with an independent five-link suspension at the back".
No really, the entire M&M team working on the Scorpio exudes limitless passion that is infectious, and infinite commitment that is communicable in good measure. Serious discussions, harmless banter, backslapping, hi-five-ing, laughs, guffaws and cheers - all point to a close knit team that is hugely enjoying itself at what it is doing. And when you really enjoy your work, it shows in your product.
Source: Car India April 2006.
