REPORT: Mahindra capitalizes on Detroit 3 dealer closings, picks up new outlets
Many communities have felt the sting of closing dealerships, but it appears for some that In the Detroit area, the Detroit Free Press is reporting that two former Chrysler dealers will begin selling the truck this fall. The Mahindra truck will exclusively contain 2.2-liter diesel powertrains mated to six speed transmissions. The trucks should easily be able to hit 30 mpg on the highway, while also giving owners the ability to carry a 1.3-ton payload. The Mahindra truck will also cost 10-15% less than comparable Japanese offerings.
The Free Press also reported that Mahindra is planning a diesel-powered SUV for mid-2010. The SUV will reportedly have a price tag in the $13-15k range.
[Source: Free Press]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BLS 8:50AM (6/19/2009)
I was looking at their website last night and the SUV definately caught my eye. It is exactly what the SUV market needs in my opinion a cheap no nonsense rugged truck. I really am not in the market for a truck but an SUV that gets 30 mpg the $15K sticker is just icing on the cake.
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Clavius 8:55AM (6/19/2009)
Yes because when I think of trucks I think of Indian made Mahindra Trucks. Big question is will they outsourse the Service Reps? Or would it be considered insourcing now hmmmm???? lmfao sorry had to.. hate me if you will but I had to, dont lie you laughed also!
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happyfun86 9:13AM (6/19/2009)
You got a chuckle out of me for that one. ^_^
Sam Watson 11:11AM (6/19/2009)
They will get a lot of test drives. The small truck has disappeared from the land scape. This is the kind of truck lots of parents would buy for their kids. Or young kids in a band would buy. Or heck anyone that needs an affordable work truck.
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Paul B 10:05AM (6/19/2009)
Is just me or does their logo look like the last Oldsmobile badge?
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Coolio 12:19PM (6/19/2009)
It's just you. This badge has a third stripe up the middle, making it completely and clearly different. Sarcasm - I thought the same thing.
jon 10:40AM (6/19/2009)
The Olds logo or Infiniti logo
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Erik 10:32AM (6/19/2009)
Well that works out great for just about everyone
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alex 11:22AM (6/19/2009)
Yup, great for everyone. Except for the people at the 99.9% of closing dealers that will actually close because they won't sell Mahindra... and all the workers who lost big 3 jobs who won't be building Mahindra trucks... and all the engineers who lost big 3 jobs who won't be engineering Mahindra trucks.
seriously this saved a couple jobs at a whopping 2 dealerships. i'd say that's hardly great for everyone
UH2L 10:33AM (6/19/2009)
I also see a niche for these for the U.S. Especially the simple, rugged, cheap, diesel part. Trust me, if these vehicles can handle the mostly crappy roads of India, they can soldier on quite well in the U.S. I just wonder about the safety test ratings that they'll get.
The logo looks almost exactly like the last Oldsmobile logo. I wonder when it was designed.
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Eric77TA 10:40AM (6/19/2009)
Looks like the current Mahindra logo was introduced in 2000 - a few years after the Oldsmobile change:
http://www.indiacar.net/news/n185.htm
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nrb 10:43AM (6/19/2009)
Lost your Chrysler franchise? Have we got a deal for you! Sell our overpriced, poorly built pickup truck.
Yup, that'll prolong your agony.
This truck is way overrated by the US media. Read some non-US reviews of the truck. It doesn't do very well.
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Avinash machado 10:50AM (6/19/2009)
Tata also has a cool truck named the Xenon. That looks better than this.
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Wobbly_ears 11:14AM (6/19/2009)
I wish Mahindra luck, but I don't have high hopes for this. Even in India, Mahindras are not known for fit & finish or refined ride. They are mostly used by taxi services & farmers and governments (you know, it is a domestic company & no politician would go against a domestic company)
I think this particular generation is too rough around the edges for the NA market. I can't imagine driving long distances on this truck.
But one thing that no one can deny is that Mahindra trucks are tough & reliable. These sonovabitches can take a licking & keep on ticking. I have seen these driven in the most hostile terrain (kinda like the old-school Jeeps).
I think this would appeal to farmers & ranchers not so much to urbanites. Maybe, that's what Mahindra is hoping for too?
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Hale 12:10PM (6/19/2009)
I am actually looking forward to this truck. Small, diesel, and rugged is what I need. Plus cheap.
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Shouldbeworking 12:14PM (6/19/2009)
We have a problem...."cost 10-15% less than comparable Japanese offerings", you gotta be kidding? I loved the idea of this truck, some basic, reliable and cheap to run. But the price is just far too high for something which uses technology that came back from the stone age. A base Tacoma is listed at $15k, this might be around $12750, just seems too expensive. If it was sub $10k they would be on to something, but at that price point, what would you rather spend your hard earned cash on??
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the4thheat 12:52PM (6/19/2009)
I'm not sure if the price is really cheap enough since presumably depreciation is going to be worse than competitors. But it does have the diesel in it's favor so depending on gas prices it might fare better or worse.
Guess we'll see soon enough anyway.
Richard S. 1:17PM (6/19/2009)
After "Federalizing" this Mahindra truck to satisfy U.S. DOT regulations, how cheap and affordable will it be compared to a Tacoma?
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Chris 2:48PM (6/19/2009)
I read a comparison review of several trucks when I was in Australia earlier this year and they gave good reviews for performance of the Mahindra "Pik-Up" (Thats what they call it in Australia), but they did say that it did lack in the area of fit and finish. They really ran the trucks through some hard core off road stuff and rated the Mahindra over several other brands for ability and durability.
P.V. 5:08PM (6/19/2009)
I've been in a Scorpio, and it actually has pretty good fit and finish for its class.
Good luck M&M!
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