So it should come as no surprise that local Mahindra importer, MD Distributors NZ Ltd, put on a press launch recently dedicated to its new six-speed XUV500 self-shifter.

The XUV500 (pronounced five double O) has been available here in six-speed manual form for the past two years and that model will now sell alongside the auto.

Both front wheel drive and (on-demand) AWD versions are available, priced at $36,990 for the front-driver and $39,990 for the all-wheel-capable model.

The XUV500 bridges the gap that has so far existed in the local market between small-to-medium two-row, five-seat models like Mazda’s CX5 Honda’s CRV and Toyota’s RAV4 with larger three-row, seven seaters like Hyundai’s Santa Fe and Ford’s Territory.

Mahindra here has been waiting for the auto version of the XUV to turn up so they can start building awareness amongst SUV buyers, and local execs believe they can sell as many as 200 (across manual and auto models) a year.

To read the full story in the July 2016 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (June 20) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.