Appalachian Breakdown: Mahindra to dump regional pickup name for alphanumerics?
Rather than get all hung up on what's in a model name, Mahindra may want U.S. consumers to become more familiar with the new-to-America brand itself. Initially, the Indian automaker's mid-sized pickups were expected to carry the "Appalachian" moniker when they came to America, but now, PickupTruck.com is reporting that the trucks will probably go alphanumeric, if recent patent filings for TR20 and TR40 designations are anything to go by.
The website speculates that the "20" and "40" indicate two- and four-door versions of the trucks, which will be tweaked to better cater to buyers in the US market. The imported, Toyota Tacoma-sized, diesel-powered newcomers are expected to be available by December, no matter what they're called.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
LimeDaiquiri 4:32PM (4/10/2009)
What are they trying to say here? That we stupid or somethin'?
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Eric Liberatore 4:49PM (4/10/2009)
Yes and...
"will be tweaked to better cater to buyers in the US market" = bigger seats
TriShield 4:38PM (4/10/2009)
Alphanumeric names are old and busted.
Distinctly Indian names should be the new hotness (if this thing actually ever shows up here).
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Aprime 5:17PM (4/10/2009)
Your rethoric is old and busted.
James 5:24PM (4/10/2009)
Aprime...actually it's your spelling that IS old and busted! ;p
Dan 5:37PM (4/10/2009)
Nothing points to market success in flyover country like a distinctly foreign sounding name.
Aprime 3:34AM (4/11/2009)
Pfft James, spellcheck set to F(ail)rench.
Myeah.
IOMTT 4:56PM (4/10/2009)
I like Appalachian for a name. Better than TR 20 or 40. I guess if Triumph was still in business, they would have something to say about the use of "TR". Does anyone know what a stripped down 2 door 2WD version would cost? I am too lazy to do any research :)
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TRIP 5:04PM (4/10/2009)
With all the whinning I've been reading about ugly design, I can't believe no one's taken a pot shot at this hideous thing. Maybe it's just too obvious.
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EXP Jawa 5:26PM (4/10/2009)
Ugliest. Truck. Ever.
Happy? Actually, I was all set to excuse it's appearance as making it look rugged. But I can't seem to actually make that leap...
Michael 5:05PM (4/10/2009)
Slumdog was not available?
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jgp 5:10PM (4/10/2009)
Ugh. Alphanumeric names are a European thing and should only be used by European automakers. Stop imitating BMW and Mercedes. Get your own damn identity.
I hated it when Toyota and Honda brought their luxury vehicles to the US market and changed all the names to alphanumeric garbage to mimic BMW and Mercedes. You can't tell me with a stright face that "Infiniti M30" sounds nearly as cool as "Nissan Leopard".
I hated it when Acura dumped their old names for alphanumeric garbage. C'mon people, "Honda Legend" is a better name than "Acura RL". I'd go as far as to say that the sole reason RL sales are in the toilet is because they dropped the Legend name.
I hated it when Cadillac and Lincoln switched to alphanumeric names. To be fair, their old names were so badly poisoned (especially Cadillac's) that they needed new names badly, but they should have created their own identity instead of mimicking the Europeans.
Hyundai is the only automaker to reverse this trend and change their minds: they pulled this crap back in 2001 when the Grandeur was brought over as the XG300/XG350, but they thankfully developed some sense later when they dumped the XG350 name for Azera and actually kept the Genesis' name for the US market.
Now, Mahindra is doing the same thing? Screw them.
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The Luigiian 5:11PM (4/10/2009)
Let's see what the price is. If it goes any higher than around $20K for a regular-cab truck, they're going to have trouble selling these things.
Other than that, they look like good deals. Lots of towing and hauling capacity, really good mileage out of the diesel engine. If they looked a little nicer--not gorgeous, but just remove the black plastic things from the B-pillars, straighten the linework on the doors and side panels--then we'd have a real contender right here.
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The Luigiian 5:12PM (4/10/2009)
Oh, re: the name. They need an extra 0 if they're going to do that. TR200 and TR400 sound better than TR20 and TR40.
Tony 5:47PM (4/10/2009)
I am seriously hoping these trucks come to Canada. It sort of has a 80's Hilux, Landcruiser 45 pick up look about it which I really like. Functional with not a lot of fluff. Hopefully it will come without all the acronyms that plaque the modern truck like ABS,VDC,Traction Control, Automatic Headlamps (wipers) heated steering wheels and leather. Just give me a four door, four wheel drive cloth interior with a small diesel and I am there with money in hand.
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slipslide 5:53PM (4/10/2009)
forget the appalachian or TR part...can people in fly over country pronounce "Mahindra"?
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Maxfli82 11:39PM (4/10/2009)
I am pretty sure they can since Mahindra is doing pretty well selling tractors in those parts already.
Bill 1:08PM (4/11/2009)
1. Its pronounced just like it's spelled. Indian names are not hard, just remember 1st grade and "sound it out". But I suppose people who can't read still won't be able to handle it. Really- is it any more difficult than "Pontiac"?
2. This truck looks 30 years old, and that's why I like it. A more conservative aftermarket grill would be perfect.
3. Instead of Appalachian, why not Himalayan?
4. Alphanumeric designations to me indicate a technical product. Traditional "American" naming conventions always try to evoke some sort of fantasy place or thing, and not at all attached to realism.
Kellman 7:27PM (4/11/2009)
Looks like it should be called a Canyon Arrow to me.
DieselFan 6:08PM (4/10/2009)
slipslide,
Sure, we can pronounce "Mahindra". We had to learn when we started buying their tractors.
We're not as dumb as some of you coast clinging idiots seem to think!
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