Did the Mahindra Naya Commander foresee the rise of lifestyle SUVs in India?
A unique vehicle, the Mahindra Naya Commander, produced from 2005 to 2010, had rugged off road capabilities, was able to seat 9, and had practical features. Back then, the Indian automotive market was still ruled by small hatchbacks and sedans and SUVs were looked at more as utilitarian vehicles than lifestyle choices. But in the years since the Naya Commander was discontinued, the Indian market has seen a clear shift to SUVs and crossovers as lifestyle vehicles. But many of these newer SUVs had the practicality, road presence and sense of adventure that the Naya Commander was also trying to offer. Given this trend, does the Naya Commander serve as a harbinger of today’s SUV boom in India? Was it a market need that it perhaps identified before the market itself was ready?
No, it was just trying to be a bigger Bolero. Nothing visionary about that.
In a way, yeah. It proved that the Sumo and Qualis weren’t the only family rugged vehicles that had a market.
It was more a confused attempt than a prediction. I didn't know if it wanted to be an MUV or an SUV.
Maybe unintentionally. The right idea, but bad execution.
The Safari and the Scorpio were more predictive of the SUV thing. The Commander was too niche.
In combining off road ability with family friendly features it was ahead of its time. Modern SUVs, for all intents and purposes, do that.
Not really. It was a more rural vehicle. Urban swag is really what modern lifestyle SUVs are all about.
In fact, it predicted the rise of vehicles like the Innova Crysta – big, practical, and slightly rugged.
It was on the right track, but Mahindra didn't stay the course long enough to develop the concept.
The Commander was too utilitarian to have guessed at lifestyle SUVs. It lacked the bling factor.
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Did the Mahindra Naya Commander foresee the rise of lifestyle SUVs in India?
28 January 2025 10:05
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