Mahindra Group owner Anand Mahindra had appealed to Carmaker’s Chief of Global Product Development, Veluswamy R, to plan a layout for SUV which can be in turn gifted to the ‘golden girl’ Avani Lekhara, India’s first female para shooter to clinch a gold medal at the Paralympics.
After Avani Lekhara’s success at the Tokyo Paralympics 2021, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra averred he wishes to develop a new SUV dedicated to her and specially designed for specially-abled people.
Avani is a 19-year-old para shooter who accomplished the gold in R-2 women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 in a match against Cuiping Zhangh of China (gold medal winner in 2016 Rio Paralympics) later beating the world number one Iryna Shchetnik of Ukraine.
Anand Mahindra took to Twitter to express himself over Avani’s victory, he wrote, “A week ago @DeepaAthlete suggested that we develop SUV’s for those with disabilities. Like the one she uses in Tokyo. I requested my colleague Velu, who heads Development to rise to that challenge. Well, Velu, I’d like to dedicate & gift the first one you make to Avani Lekhara.”
A week ago @DeepaAthlete suggested that we develop SUV’s for those with disabilities. Like the one she uses in Tokyo.I requested my colleague Velu, who heads Development to rise to that challenge. Well, Velu, I’d like to dedicate & gift the first one you make to #AvaniLekhara https://t.co/J6arVWxgSA
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) August 30, 2021
Mahindra and Mahindra have previously introduced XUV700 SUV starting from ₹11.99 lakh. The SUV is available in five-seat and seven-seat variants, with complimentary manual and petrol/diesel engine options. The latest XUV700 preceded the most accepted XUV500 with various up-gradation ranging from colours, layout, body design, features, instruments for safety purposes etc. Its peer rivals are: Tata Safari and Hyundai Alcazar, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos etc.
