Mahindra Scorpio Lifestyler pickup to launch by April 2027

Gollagunta said Mahindra will continue focusing on its core right-hand drive markets like South Africa and Australia, where it already has a strong presence. He noted the company has also done well in some left-hand drive markets such as Tunisia and Chile. “We will continue to go down that path,” he said.

On expanding into other right-hand drive markets, Gollagunta mentioned the UK as the largest RHD SUV market after India. The company would be deliberate. “If we go there, we want to go there to win. If we are not convinced we can't win, we will be careful about doing it,” he said. He added that India is one of the fastest-growing markets and he does not want to leave that opportunity to try a bunch of other things.

For markets like Indonesia, Gollagunta sees low-hanging fruit. “We are doing well right now with the commercial market, and we have realised this is a market we can play and do well in,” he said. The company is looking at other markets where existing products can easily go.

The pickup segment in India has been dominated by work-oriented vehicles. Mahindra's bet on a lifestyle pickup follows a similar strategy by global automakers in markets like the U.S. and Australia, where pickups have moved beyond commercial use to become personal vehicles. The Scorpio Lifestyler will compete with offerings from Toyota and Isuzu in international markets, though no direct rival has been announced for India yet.

Gollagunta said the company is investing in building awareness, strengthening its network, and creating the right ownership experience for the category. “We believe the Scorpio Lifestyler has the potential to redefine expectations and shape the future of the pickup segment in India,” he said.