First Mahindra pickups in U.S. will be assembled in India, not Ohio
Mahindra's plan to launch its midsize pickups in the United States has taken another interesting turn, as the Indian automaker now plans to assemble the first U.S.-bound units at home and not in Ohio as originally planned. The change means that Mahindra will now be forced to pay the 25% federal "chicken tax" that was first created in the early '60s in retaliation against European tariffs on U.S.-bred chicken.
In any case, Mahindra doesn't expect additional delays in getting its diesel-powered pickup trucks to U.S. dealerships. In fact, selling Indian-made units may actually expedite the truck's fourth-quarter introduction by a few weeks.
Look for a big marketing push in advance of the Indian truck's launch here in the States, especially at motocross events around the country. Mahindra believes that its truck will appeal to dirt bike riders who want a fuel-efficient hauler. The manufacturer says its truck will combine 30 mpg economy from its 2.2L four-cylinder diesel engine with a 7.5-foot bed that can accept a payload of 1.3 tons; all in a package that's priced 10-15% below comparable Japanese offerings.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Rob 3:27PM (2/14/2009)
I can't imagine the customer service centers for this thing.
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Yaroukh 3:28PM (2/14/2009)
I can't imagine the customers for this thing.
dallasward007 3:28PM (2/14/2009)
Were I in the market for a new vehicle this would be on my short list.
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Yaroukh 3:29PM (2/14/2009)
Oh $...
Herkimer 3:41PM (2/14/2009)
Well, it's not pretty. But the economy and utility are very nice.
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Steve 3:42PM (2/14/2009)
You know, I'm not from the East, but I find that we always put down vehicles before we ourselves even try them out. You never know, this thing looks fresher then a Ford Ranger, and as durable as a Toyota Land Cruiser, for what? 10G? If it gets you from A-B cheap, and it hauls, then it's doing what it's supposed too. If it lasts, even better.
I call "give this one a chance" on this one, and I think we should all stop putting Indian Manufacturers down for just one day.
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Mazda FTW! 3:43PM (2/14/2009)
I'm from India and Mahindra is actually a pretty good, robust company which makes well-built products which withstand the harsh Indian conditions. This should do just fine for people needing a just a little bit of utility for cheap.
P.V. 4:57PM (2/14/2009)
@Steve and MazdaFTW!:
You took the words right out of my mouth (even the "I'm from India" part, because I am).
Jared 8:12PM (2/14/2009)
Do ya'll have masters degrees?
rar 8:39PM (2/14/2009)
So Steve, we should just give it a free pass because it is made by a company in India? If GM, Ford or Dodge made a truck this ugly I could only imagine the venom that would be spewed on this blog. This tuck is expected to start at a base, two wheel drive, standard cab at over 22,000. You can pick up a base Ranger at well under 15,000. You can even buy a base full size truck for way less than 22,000. You could buy a lot of gas for the difference. I hope they plan on making it better than the Aussi version or this truck will be a total joke.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/4701/2007-mahindra-pikup-4x4-road-test/
bathtub gin 9:45PM (2/14/2009)
@Steve - I am aware of Mahindra's reputation from their tractors - everything I have heard about them is that they put out a quality product. However, the truck looks like a cross between an early-70's Hi-Lux and a Jeep Honcho. It might have a nice personality, but it isn't much of a looker.
Brent 12:52AM (2/15/2009)
LOL @ $10G.
casey 3:50PM (2/14/2009)
anyone that thinks this looks 'fresher than a Ranger' really needs to get out more. it looks like an early 60s Datsun pickup after a sideswipe. and speaking of crashes, let's see how it does in our crash testing. it doesn't really seem advanced enough to have state-of-the-art crush zones, or even advanced enough to offer any side protection such as airbags or even door beams. the only way a mfr can 'beat' the prices on domestic vehicles with their economies of scale production, is to leave off safety equipment and other 'invisible' items we take for granted these days.
it won't work, but let 'em try.
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Steve 4:06PM (2/14/2009)
No you need to get out more. It looks rugged and tough. Unlike your Ranger, which has not changed very much in the past 16 years.
Nice try though, but let's be honest here.
why not the LS2LS7? 4:21PM (2/14/2009)
With all that plastic (grille, vents behind windows) and the foglights in the plastic bumper it doesn't look particularly rugged to me. And the styling doesn't impress me either. So yeah, if I were buying a truck based upon looks, I'd buy a Ranger.
However, looks are not the best way to choose a truck.
Cellien 4:59PM (2/14/2009)
@Steve: The Ranger has evolved quite a bit in 16 years. It's based on the same platform and has the same overall shape, but my 08 is very different than my 96 was. I personally think the Ranger only needs a new interior update with some outside updates like the 08 F-250s did over the previous year. Same shape, just with some "cool" details. Also offer a quad-cab and of course I can't give my 2 cents w/out pleaing for a 4 cyl diesel option! :D
eeyoreamc9083 3:49PM (2/14/2009)
I like it! It looks better than the excessively plastic-clad midsize trucks everyone else is building. I also like the idea of a small diesel engine instead of gas. If it is cheap enough, it may be on my list of new trucks to consider if I ever get rid of my current 300k+ mile Nissan pickup.
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cxvargas 9:07PM (2/14/2009)
This truck reminds me of the Chevy Luv and Ford Courier and all the original compact trucks from Japan. I'm sure there is a market in the US for this type of vehicle specially with the current economic status.
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versionII 3:52PM (2/14/2009)
I'd rather buy a ford.
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Yaroukh 4:01PM (2/14/2009)
over anything other from US