Mahindra to show diesel-hybrid pickup at SAE Congress
Potential buyers interested in the upcoming Mahindra & Mahindra Appalachian pickup truck will get a sneak-peek of the new machine at the upcoming SAE World Congress, April 14-17 in Detroit, Michigan. The most interesting part of this news, though, is that the vehicle on display will sport a diesel/electric hybrid drivetrain, which could be the first and only such system sold in the U.S. The standard diesel Appalachian truck is expected to come with a 2.2-liter four cylinder diesel engine putting out between 140 and 150 horsepower along with 300 lb. ft of torque. Expected to sell in the low $20,000 range and be available in both two and four-door versions, Mahindra could potentially re-ignite the small truck market abandoned long ago by American automakers. With the hybrid option coming in at around $5 grand more, before any available tax credits are applied, we think that this upcoming Indian truck will make some waves here in the states when it goes on sale in 2010.
[Source: Diesel Forecast]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris 7:35AM (3/25/2008)
Australian review here:
http://www.caradvice.com.au/4701/2007-mahindra-pikup-4x4-road-test/
Lets hope the US version gets airbags! Yep - the Australian one doesn't have them.
Doesn't matter really - after you read the review you're not going to buy one anyway. I can't believe they gave it a 3/5...
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British_Rover 9:47AM (3/25/2008)
If they want to sell it in the US they will have to put airbags in it as all passenger vehicles including light trucks are required to have airbags since 1998 or 1999. That is why the Defender finally left the US market because it doesn't have airbags either.
imoore 11:02AM (3/25/2008)
I just read that review. That was horrible. Let's hope Mahindra gets its act together before it goes on sale here. Maybe US assembly will pay more attention to detail and quality.
Bernie 7:54AM (3/25/2008)
If they showing it at the SAE Congress they must not want anyone to see it. That show has been dead since 2002! Can't they afford to show it at an auto show?
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Gstill 9:00AM (3/25/2008)
Wow, I hadn't seen what this truck looked like from behind. That is awful. Even if it gets great mileage, with diesel over $4.25/gal it could be a tough sell. And if the diesel-hybrid is a hit, Toyota will probably green light the A-BAT, and this thing will lose a chunk of it's market share.
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rar 9:08AM (3/25/2008)
In the St. Louis area diesel is $3.75+. When you can buy a Ranger for starting under 15,000, this thing starts around 22,000, and you read the Australian review posted by Chris above, I can't see anyone getting one of these.
kentavos 9:47AM (3/25/2008)
rar,
I completely agree. When I first heard Mahindra was bringing a truck to the US, I was interested because I thought it would out price everything out there. Who cares if it's ugly as sin, if it's cheap enough and functional, I'll buy it.
I was shocked to see that they want to price it in the low 20's. That's as much as a bare bones double cab Tacoma.
No way I would choose this thing over a Tacoma at the same price.
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tanooki2003 10:09AM (3/25/2008)
Blame it on the sinking US dollar
Guenther 10:49AM (3/25/2008)
Keep in mind they are still selling it for 10kAU$ less than the HiLux. If that translates at ALL, the 4x4 double cab should be priced at 18 or 19 grand here. That might be enough. If Mahindra tractor dealers do the sales/service, I'll sign for that price. No- wait... just found a little pride here. just not ready yet.
IndusCreed 10:20AM (3/25/2008)
fugly
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SPG 11:06AM (3/25/2008)
An awesome use for these, commercial and government work trucks.
For around town hauling this makes so much sense.
Or perhaps Ford and GM can bring out another batch of electric compact pick-ups.
I jest of course, they are far too crooked for that again.
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pmiddle5 12:35PM (3/25/2008)
if my go kart fits in the back Iam down.
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BOB 3:32PM (3/25/2008)
OH COME ON!!!
Besides being crap that aint worth $12,000, this thing has a face only a (blind) Indian mother could love.
Maybe they are testing the waters for the next version, rather than this rehash of a 1970 something Isuzu.
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Andre 7:11AM (3/26/2008)
"Mahindra could potentially re-ignite the small truck market abandoned long ago by American automakers."
Jeremy, I take issue with that wording. Ford still sells the Ranger, which is arguably a better truck than the Mahindra, old platform and all, and the Colorado/Canyon are constantly knocked for being smaller than their competition, among other things. If anything, one could argue that the JAPANESE abandoned the small truck market moreso than the Americans.
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