India's Mahindra launches SUV, pick-up in Peru

MUMBAI, Feb 20 (Reuters) - India's Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (MAHM.BO) said on Wednesday it had launched its Scorpio sport utility and its Pik-Up range in Peru, further extending its presence in Latin America.

The launch was in partnership with Maquinaria Nacional S.A., an arm of the Gildemeister Group, an importer and distributor of vehicles which also represents Mahindra in Chile.

"The launch in Peru will help us consolidate our growing presence in South America," Sanjeev Saksena, senior general manager for Central and South America, said in a statement.

Mahindra, India's top utility vehicle and tractor maker, in January began assembling the Scorpio and Pik-Up in Brazil with a local partner. It also assembles the vehicles in Egypt and exports them to markets in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Mahindra, which aims to double its domestic sales and quadruple exports by 2010, is scheduled to launch the Scorpio in the United States in 2009. (Reporting by Rina Chandran; Editing by John Mair)