U.S. Mahindra pickup reportedly stalled until February
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Aug 7th 2009 at 1:58PM 
Mahindra Pik-Up - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's apparently tougher than Mahindra first thought to break into the American pickup truck market. According to a report by PickupTrucks.com, Pawan Goenka, Mahindra's president of automotive operations, told reporters in India, "We will start production of Mahindra 'Pik-up' utility vehicle by December this year for the U.S., and by end-February next year, the vehicle will be sold there."
For those keeping track, this is the second major delay announced by Mahindra, bringing the truck to the United States just about a year later than originally planned. Even Global Vehicles, the chosen distributor of the trucks in the States, was caught off guard by the decision. Granted, a delay is certainly more palatable than a botched launch attempt.
When it finally does hit in February of 2010, expect the truck to come in both TR20 (two-door) and TR40 (four-door) styles and come equipped with a standard 2.2-liter four cylinder diesel engine that should return 30 miles per gallon and tow up to 1.3 tons. Pricing reportedly won't be announced until September.
Gallery: Mahindra Pik-Up
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
EXP Jawa 2:02PM (8/07/2009)
30 MPG is nice, but it can only tow 2600 pounds? Is there some error there?
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BigMcLargeHuge 2:26PM (8/07/2009)
They should have put 1.3-ton payload.
The towing capacity is 2.5 tons.
tuna 2:05PM (8/07/2009)
This thing is outdated before it hits the showrooms. But, I do like the idea of small diesel pickup. The thing is this trucks biggest selling point (the 7' bed) is the last thing I'd want.
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Sgt. Hulka 2:15PM (8/07/2009)
Oh no. How will I console myself?
What's next> The Nano not hitting it's EPAs?
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Level 2:23PM (8/07/2009)
There is def a market for this pick-up, the kind that you wouldn't worry if you get it scratched here and there or bang it up and had no luxuries like most do now days and take it to the core basics plus diesel is a big plus...
I guess it's better to delay things and make it right when they come out then rush it to market and get it wrong...
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Beau 3:13PM (8/07/2009)
You mean, as in one with loads of utility?
Isn't that what a pickup truck is for?
Level 3:19PM (8/07/2009)
Cadillac EXT comes to mind
Calebe 2:28PM (8/07/2009)
Still automatic only? I'll pass.
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Erik 2:32PM (8/07/2009)
Yup, exactly. I like the truck, but that's a deal breaker.
tanooki2003 2:28PM (8/07/2009)
Finally some news about a promising compact pick-up truck that people like me are seriously considering. The delay does kind of suck but finally for a compact pickup-truck that actually offers a 4cyl diesel, like the compact pick-ups the rest of the world has except NA, is worth the wait.
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tanooki2003 2:30PM (8/07/2009)
They still really need to consider having the 5 or 6 speed manual available as an option.
Jc 2:32PM (8/07/2009)
What a horrible truck! It closely resembles a Chevy-Ford truck from de 40's. Return them to India or sell them to poor countries in Asia.
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tanooki2003 2:36PM (8/07/2009)
WARNING!!!!
***Do Not Feed The Trolls!***
James N. 9:33PM (8/07/2009)
I don't want to feed the trolls... but I did want to say that if someone made a truck that resembled trucks of the '40s I would totally dig it. Who doesn't love the look of a late '40s International small truck? The first and second gen fords look ok too, though the grill is a little lacking.
fast_car 4:19PM (8/07/2009)
I think that truck looks horrible. But Level is right, it'll appeal to those that want a scratch & dent utility vehicle. I can see this as the truck ranchers use to haul around manure and other things they wouldn't want all over their fancy horse towing truck... But it is fuel efficient. I just wouldn't want to be caught in public driving that.
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bhtooefr 2:38PM (8/07/2009)
Utiliarian trucks that are built to do one thing - work - and do it well FTW.
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Joey Mazz 2:55PM (8/07/2009)
I'll be the first one to take it for a test drive, I won't necessarily buy it, but I'll give it a shot. Still wish Ford would sell their Euro-spec diesel rangers here.
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Chibi Chaingun - blackhivemedia.com 3:13PM (8/07/2009)
This.
phoenix 2:56PM (8/07/2009)
The "little truck that could" market has been under-served here in the States for quite some time. Toyota moved the "Taco" into mid-size territory, Isuzu hasn't done anything much here for years... And the domestics? ALL too big these days.
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Chibi Chaingun - blackhivemedia.com 3:15PM (8/07/2009)
Are you sure you mean "ALL"? Because I don't think you do... However, if you do.. then you are wrong. :)