KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Mahindra Thar crosses 2 lakh sales milestone.
- Launched on 15th August, 2020.
- In January of 2023, its RWD variants were launched.
The Mahindra Thar, launched on August 15th, 2020, has set a new record today, placing this SUV among the highest-selling cars in India. More than 2 lakh Thars have been sold to date, which is a huge achievement, considering this is not a family SUV nor the most comfortable vehicle, but an adventurous car that allows passengers to explore new paths - paths that even Google Maps can't find.
However, there are several other factors behind the Thar's remarkable sales. Let's dive into those below. In the meantime, make sure to join the 91Wheels WhatsApp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.
Also Read: Hyundai Cars With New Year Discounts Of Up To Rs 30,000
What Makes The Mahindra Thar So Popular?
King Maker
The designers of the Thar have done a fabulous job of making a Jeep look so attractive. Whether it's the front, side, or rear profile, it leaves a mark on your subconscious, and you can't help but gaze at it, even if you spot the Thar for the 100th time in a day. Additionally, a key reason for its success is its height. It's so tall that you can see 200 meters ahead on the road, and in traffic, the driver feels like they are the king, with every other car as their subordinate.
With 226 mm of ground clearance, even the roughest roads feel like a cakewalk, and people with low self-esteem gain confidence. The popularity of the Thar has made it a part of Indian pop culture - many singers and pop stars have used the Thar as a prop in their music videos, and several songs have been specially dedicated to the beauty of this car. All these factors contribute to the positive PR of the Thar and help attract new customers every day.
RWD
Before January 2023, the Mahindra Thar was only available with 4X4 variants. It was still selling like hotcakes despite its higher pricing. There are high chances that the automaker kept the RWD variants under wraps to see how far the Tharfandom could go, and when they saw a slight dip in sales figures, Mahindra launched the RWD version.
With this step, the Thar's starting price came down to Rs 9.99 lakh, and once again, the Thar craze doubled, as people who had dreamt of owning it could actually afford it now.
Off-Road Capabilities
When the Mahindra Thar was launched, it was the only true-blue SUV built for extreme off-roading. There were other great options such as the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, and Jeep Compass, but none of them could achieve what the Thar could in off-roading, thanks to its sub-4-meter size. The SUVs mentioned above are large cars, and when you're navigating such adventurous terrains, the smaller size unlocks more possibilities.
Later, Maruti also launched its Jimny, which directly competed with the Thar but faced a setback due to its compact size and low height, which disappointed many potential customers.
Also Read: New Year Discounts On Maruti Suzuki Arena Cars - Up To 67,100
Verdict
The Tharmania is still on, as the Thar Roxx is here, and it now caters to both family and off-road enthusiasts. Mahindra didn't just create an off-road vehicle but a legendary product whose name will be written in golden ink in history books. However, this car now feels dated as it lacks several features that modern buyers want, and Mahindra will likely need to update it. As of now, no information is available regarding that update. For more such stories follow 91Wheels.
