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Mahindra maps out 'potential' U.S. dealer network for forthcoming small diesel pickup
Mahindra 'potential' dealer network - Click above to enlarge
No, you're not looking at yet another voting map, or even a topographical depiction of the WalMarting of America (trust us, you don't want to see that). The image seen above is that of Mahindra's "dealership network." We're putting quotes on that because the Indian automaker says on its website that the dots represent only "potential" outlets for their forthcoming small diesel pickup trucks.Even if the map hasn't been finalized (and doesn't have an associated time frame for each franchise coming on-line), the map is interesting because it illustrates widespread interest in the brand. Credit for that in part should go to the promise of a robust, cheap, and fuel-efficient small truck from a major global player – but it should be equally predictable because there are lots of showrooms sitting empty (or on their way to doing so) thanks to the downsizing of dealer networks associated with General Motors, Chrysler and other automakers.
We could have predicted widespread traction for the brand in regions like the Midwest and even the Northeast, but the concentration of likely franchises in Florida surprises us. Either way, we'll have to wait a bit longer to see just who finally ends up selling the automaker's TR20 and TR40 models – they are expected to go on sale in the first quarter of next year. Hat tip to Sunny B!
Gallery: Mahindra Pik-Up
[Source: Mahindra]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Avinash machado 9:07AM (11/18/2009)
Ford must be kicking themselves for not updating the Ranger.
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Shamdiddly 9:28AM (11/18/2009)
I don't think they are. I'm surprised it was on sale for as long as it made it - no major changes or upgrades over the last few years despite an ever increasing price. The Ranger was a good truck (I calibrated the emissions controls for the 2007 4.0L - so I spent a lot of time in one), but I believe Ford realizes the profit margin on the big trucks is better and chose to dedicate their effort there.
I'm very interested to see how these little trucks fare here. A tacoma-sized truck with a diesel is very attractive, but two things keep coming to mind:
1. Exhaust aftertreatment is expensive and easy to do wrong (i.e. plug and or crack particulate filters), driving warranty costs up;
2. It is designed and built somewhere there is no salt on the roads... I wonder if they'll quickly end up being rustbuckets?
I believe there is a definite demand for a small pickup with a diesel engine - maybe these little trucks will hep convince the American manufacturers to introduce their own?
nrb 10:23AM (11/18/2009)
The Mahindra is overrated, overpriced, and crude. I'd buy an outdated Ranger over it in a heartbeat.
Sixt9coug 12:07PM (11/18/2009)
I DID buy an 'outdated' Ranger lol. I own a 2009 Sport (no, not a C4C sourced deal either) and yes its crude, minimalist and outdated, but its a great little truck whos only real downsides are that its outdated and could get better fuel milage. Screw it, i like it anyway.
Plus its paid off and sales tax will be deductable this tax season :D
AC 4:02PM (11/18/2009)
I too have a 2009 Ranger XLT 4x4 5spd manual, and I love it. It does everything I need it to do, all while being small enough to actually fit in my driveway, unlike most of the trucks for sale now.
I hope Ford is smart when they redesign/replace the Ranger. I'd hate to see it become a bloated identity confused "mid-size" like all the other manufactures decided to make. All Ford needs to do is update the engines (2.0L I4 ecoboost? please?) and the refresh the interior, and exterior a bit, and they could sell it for another 10 years.
I'm happy that Mahindra is trying to keep the small truck alive, I just wish they would have spent more than 10 minutes designing the looks of the thing.
Matt 4:42PM (11/18/2009)
Not only ugly, but just 2 star safety rating under EuroNCAP / ANCAP
tanooki2003 9:14AM (11/18/2009)
This is awesome. I will not have any trouble being able to test one of these promising trucks.
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Artega 9:18AM (11/18/2009)
This is interesting. Mahindra also builts trucks for the indian army, and they are not bad offroad.
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PorscheSpyder 9:16AM (11/18/2009)
Never heard of this truck, but I rather like it. I could certainly see myself in one. :D
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Alex 9:20AM (11/18/2009)
Nice, Philadelphia region looks to be well represented. I know what i'll be looking for next year.
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imoore 9:20AM (11/18/2009)
Looks like Birmingham (Serra), Huntsville, Tuscaloosa (Townsend), Mobile, Dothan and Montgomery, Alabama (Serra) and Pensacola, Florida are already lined up. I knew about Serra and Townsend firsthand, they were already part of the Crosslander franchises before that mess blew up in 2004, but they decided to hold out for the Mahindra deal. Many of the dealers that will be named here were potential Crosslander dealers that elected to remain with Global Vehicles USA/Crosslander USA because they had too much money and assets invested in the Crosslander deal. You've got to give these guys kudos for sticking around in these tough financial times to still attempt to fooer a new product, and you've got to give credit to GV-USA for keeping their promise to delier a new vehicle line to them, even if it is nearly 5 years after the fact. I just wish all parties involved the best of success.
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rygar 9:30AM (11/18/2009)
Wow! I totally forgot about the Crosslander fiasco. There was supposed to be one dealer here in Orlando. From what I can remember, they were a used car dealership, hopefully this Mahindra deal works out for them.
Justin 9:26AM (11/18/2009)
Why would I not want to see a "topographical depiction of the WalMarting of America"?
Walmart gave more American job & stability, kept inflation in place than the Obama stimulus.
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nrb 10:26AM (11/18/2009)
I don't know where to begin with you. Walmart is more responsible for our down financial status than any other company in the country.
It's actually a fairly complicated subject. Sometime when you've got a couple of hours, we can go over it.
jeff 10:30AM (11/18/2009)
when you consider that each WalMart can easily wipe out dozens of local small businesses and funnel that income to a single centralized business, I'd say that map is pretty scary. Personally, i find WalMart's depressing, I'd much rather support a small locally owned shop catering to a specific need, rather than a one stop shop that doesn't specialize in anything.
I really wish they had kept the original name, they were gonna call it the Mahindra Appalachian. Out in India, you see a lot of Mahindra Scorpios, sorta similar to a Land Cruiser and it has sorta the same kind of appeal as the Hummer H2 had when it first came out. Good to see though that Mahindra will instead fill a more practical market segment in the US though. I wonder if any of the other companies will follow suit with compact trucks and small diesels.
imoore 4:35PM (11/18/2009)
@ Jeff:
Funny you mentioned WalMart as depressing. Someone recently started a site called www.pepoleofwalmart.com. The pictures of the people shopping at the Wal-Marts are beyond depressing. Expect to be embarrassed should you choose to see it.
imoore 4:36PM (11/18/2009)
@ Jeff:
Funny you mentioned WalMart as depressing. Someone recently started a site called www.pepoleofwalmart.com. The pictures of the people shopping at the Wal-Marts are beyond depressing. Expect to be embarrassed should you choose to see it.
Holden Miecranc 9:27AM (11/18/2009)
Could the Mahindra logo get any closer to Oldsmobile's last design?
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Ducatinova 9:30AM (11/18/2009)
I'm liking the single cab. To bad its automatic only.
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LaserRed38 10:11AM (11/18/2009)
Actually this is the first I've seen the crew cab, and I must say I think it's the best looking iteration yet. The lines seem like they flow better, also giving it better proportions.