Indian Company to Import or Build Pickup Stateside?

[mikeyb]

http://news.windingroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/mahindra-pickup.JPG

Import or build? Build or import? India’s Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. can’t make the decision to import their pickups to the U.S. or manufacture them here.
Pawan Goenka, president of the company’s automotive unit, said that he is content with selling 20,000 to 25,000 trucks. He also said a decision would be made soon whether to import or build the truck from knockdown kits stateside. He also told Automotive News that the company will not build in Mexico.
The trucks will have diesel engines and meet U.S. fuel economy standards according to Goenka. He expects the trucks to be available in the next 15 months and will be distributed by Global Vehicles USA. Mahindra is also expecting to bring its Scorpio SUV stateside in 2009.

[TinmanMS6]

Hmmm...if it's cheap enough, it might be a good alternative to buying an older beater truck as a second/third vehicle for somebody that just needs to haul some stuff occasionally. My parents do a lot of gardening and woodworking and are missing my dad's old Ranger, but neither of them wants to drive a truck every day. This might be an option for them.

[Kurt07]

For some odd reason I like it.

[boostdog]

Hmmm...if it's cheap enough, it might be a good alternative to buying an older beater truck as a second/third vehicle for somebody that just needs to haul some stuff occasionally. My parents do a lot of gardening and woodworking and are missing my dad's old Ranger, but neither of them wants to drive a truck every day. This might be an option for them.

That's exactly what i thought..my dad just sold his truck and they really miss having one in the family when needed..this may be a good alternative. And with it being a desiel you know it should run forever.

[mikeyb]

Notice the previous Tacoma headlamps, grille, and wheels. It looks a lot like an odd school Land Cruiser.

[TinmanMS6]

Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. will shake up the U.S. truck market next year when it introduces a new midsize pickup called the Appalachian sporting a 2.2L four-cylinder diesel engine producing around 150 horsepower and 300 pound feet of torque. Speaking with Mike Levine from Pickuptruck.com, John Perez, the CEO of Atlanta-based importer Global Vehicles U.S.A. that's aiding Mahindra's entry into the U.S. market, revealed that the truck will deliver 30 to 35 miles per gallon and cost in the mid-$20,000 range. It will be paired with a six-speed automatic that's controlled via a floor-mounted shifter or paddle shifters(!), have a class-leading payload of 2,600 lbs. and feature a 60,000-mile, four year bumper-to-bumper warranty.

If that's not enough to strike fear in domestic and import truck makers alike, Mahindra has also revealed plans to sell a diesel hybrid version of its pickup by 2010. If it happens, the diesel hybrid Appalachian will be, as far as we know, the only diesel hybrid on sale in the U.S. market and achieve fuel economy figures even higher than its diesel-only counterpart. Imagine a midsize pickup in the low-$30,000 price range capable of 40+ mpg.

The Appalachian has yet to go through U.S. certification for emissions and safety, but the company is spending $80 million to ensure its truck passes with no issues. After that, production will begin in India on March 15, 2009, but the trucks will finish assembly at a plant in Ohio to avoid high import taxes. After that, customers can visit a 300-strong dealer network with 24 standalone dealerships, one of which is already under construction.

[autoxes]

Whats up with the oldsmobile badge on the hood? Weird.

[mx-p5]

I've seen other pics of this truck in a crewcab form as well.

Tylor

[TinmanMS6]

They'd probably do pretty well if they made a cheap SUV off this same chassis. I'd hit it. It'd be just like driving my old tin can of an '86 Trooper.

[mx-p5]

Here are the vehichles they currently make, but not for us

Mahindra (http://www.gv-usa.com/vehicle-info.php)

Tylor

[TinmanMS6]

Global Vehicles who is importing this is located about 10 miles from where I'm sitting right now. I wonder if they'll have some driving around soon...

[silverspeed03]

Start in the mid $20's? Not exactly what I was thinking when they said it would be cheap. I guess on paper it sounds good but, having never sold a car in the U.S. I can't really see people dropping 20+ thousand on this newb company's first car here.

[TinmanMS6]

I was thinking cheaper than that, too, but mid-20's is fairly cheap for a diesel mid-sized pickup. Especially considering that there's no competition on the market at the moment.

[silverspeed03]

I was thinking cheaper than that, too, but mid-20's is fairly cheap for a diesel mid-sized pickup. Especially considering that there's no competition on the market at the moment.


Is this the cheapest car they make?

[Gaboost]

Maybe this will wake up toyota, nissan and ford to sell their small trucks they already have available in other countries with diesels here.

[coolmazda5]

I would go for a basic Tacoma 4x4 (gas 4cyl, manual tranny) and wait-n-see how the Mahindra fairs before spending the bucks. (yes I know, I'm talking gas, but a pick-up truck that size does not really need diesel IMO)...

[thewrench]

Interesting truck. The specs don't seem to match anything here now. Looks midsize, but with the power and payload of a full size. 7 1/2' bed is kinda screwy, should be 8', that's almost a deal killer for me as a full size. I'd like to see how wide the bed is, too, but 30-35 mpg is awesome. It'd make a good work truck.

[Roywhitep5]

every non union construction company in the country will want one!

[downtube]

actual conversation between an indian software developer and me, while visiting our IT group there...

her: "tell me one thing"
me: "sure"
her: "why is it every time there's an issue about [insert manufacturer name here], it's so important".
me: "because it's for a pickup truck, and that's a huge market"
her: "oh, okay. thanks"

two days later

her: "tell me one thing"
me: "what's that?"
her: "what's a pickup truck?"

[ForceFed]

I dont get it.....

[downtube]

she didn't know what a frickin' pickup truck is.