Report: Mahindra Could Partner with Navistar To Assemble Pickups
Indian automaker Mahindra could partner with Navistar to build its upcoming TR Series pickups at a Navistar-owned factory in the U.S., according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Such a move would allow Mahindra to avoid the so-called "chicken tax" that adds a 25 percent tariff to pickup trucks produced in most countries outside of the U.S.
"Once we decide to assemble in the U.S., we would look at Navistar's facilities to see if there's something available which is right for us and if that works out," Pawan Goenka, Mahindra's president of automotive operations, told the WSJ. "We will certainly give priority to using Navistar's facilities." A decision is expected be made by December, Goenka said.
Mahindra is about to start production of its first U.S.-bound pickups in India. The trucks are expected to go on sale this spring.
Navistar builds International brand commercial trucks, MaxxForce brand diesel engines, IC Bus vehicles and Workhorse brand chassis for motor homes and step vans, and it is a private label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for trucks. Navistar built diesel engines for Ford Super Duty pickups until 2009.
Mahindra TR Series pickups, based on the company's Scorpio platform, will be offered in two cab configurations: a two-door regular cab and a four-door crew cab. Both will use a slightly modified version of Mahindra's mHawk 2.2-liter inline-four-cylinder diesel engine that meets U.S. emissions regulations. It's expected to have fuel economy ratings as high as 30 mpg and 1.3-ton hauling capability. Pricing is expected to start around $22,000.
[Source: The Wall Street Journal]
Comments
Good looking little truck.
Hope it has success...so the US Auto makers will see that (mainly FORD) and start offering diesel engines in the Ranger and F150 platforms. Only time will tell, but getting 30mpg in a pickup that can haul 1.3 tons is fantastic.
Yep I agree tho I want my Dodge 1500 with the Cummins 5.0 Diesel. Bring me more diesel options PLEASE!!!!!
They never said it would get 30 mpg. They said UP TO.
Maybe if Navistar assembles the trucks for Mahindra they will hold up as well as the Poerstroke diesels
how about scout III? just add in some style Qs from the 70's scouts? after owning 3 scouts in the 70's including mitsu. diesel, it would be the only import i would even consider buying!
A Crew Cab would be cool on this little beast. What do you guys think? Crew Cab or Nah?
they could build the suv and call it the travelall, but to make it a crew cab the bed would be way to short, would look funny?
TravelAll, hmmmmm....not a bad idea. You're right. A crew cab would look funny but i'm sure they can pull something off.
$22,000 wow. Thats alot of money for such a small truck.
lETS SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN FIVE YEARS. I HAVE A FEELING IT WILL BE FULL OF RUST.
There will be a crew cab available. We are already accepting deposits on these trucks at http://www.MahindraNC.com
@MahindraNC: are all the dealerships signed and sealed now? How much for a deposit?
@Frank: They didn't say up to but less than 30mpg. Up to 30mpg indicates 30 mpg is possible. We all know fuel economy ratings vary according to driving/vehicle conditions, load, and you're right foot. Hence up to 30 mpg.
@Evan: in this case less is more. :)
Actually, the story din't say, "up to 30 mpg".
It said, "It's expected to have fuel economy ratings as high as 30 mpg". As high as. That means up to and including 30 mpg.
In previous articles it was "up to" 30. It still does not mean it will get 30 mpg. This is just some marketing hype right now.
Doesn't mean it won't. It does mean that it could.
You're getting a little bit ahead of yourself. It is all hype right now.
Mahindra is already in a joint venture in India building not only Navistar Engines, but just started building commercial trucks for sale in the Indian market with the International badge on the hood.
You're just intent on bashing the vehicle, getting ahead of yourself. Gotta wonder why you're so afraid of it.
Straight from their site, "* Estimated — awaiting final test results..."
Looking at the size of the vehicle it should be capable of way more than 30 mpg. Hope GM and RAM start to build similar vehicles for those who don't need a full size vehicle for a work or hunting truck.
@ Don... In five years all vehicles in Ontario are full of rust. I think the sheet metal will last as long as any other vehicle.
And water is wet. Maybe it'll out perform the estimates.
Some lack of common sense here. OEMs CAN'T provide actual fuel economy #'s, as most know the government tests and releases fuel economy numbers.
Exactly Ken and Joe. Lets see if this thing ever gets built. Spring is coming and they haven't even decided where they are building it yet. My guess is it will get pushed back again.
Ken, what you say about fuel estimates is well known and really should go without saying. Up to now, no one posting has suggested otherwise as to who sets the official fuel economy numbers. Thanks for the reminder, though.
good luck with that Mahindra, your diesels are going to be just as shitty as fords were...
@jake - could not have said that any better. Glad to see Ford wise up and get away from International. Trust me I'm not saying it was all International's fault, most of the problems with the 6.0L were caused by Ford. I hope and pray that Ford finally got this new 6.7L Powerstroke right for their sake. Time will tell.
I can't wait to see this truck finally available here in the United States! It looks great, and based on its specs it ought to perform great! It's too bad it won't be available with a manual transmission or a solid front axle with f/r diff locks in the 4WD model, but this is already a ton better than the silly Toyota, Nissan, GM, and Dodge "compact" trucks.
I saw a TR20 on a car trailer in Loveland, Colorado last Sunday.
It was white, and all the tires were flat, I guess for clearance as it was on the top level of the trailer. The frame on the truck seemed to be very low, hanging well below the bottom of the truck body. I hope this isn't the production truck, or it won't have very good clearance. It had MHawk on the front quarter panel. If it is still there tomorrow, I'll get a picture or two.
If you look into the Mahindra. You will see this company has been selling farm tractors in the usa for a good while and has a great rep.
They will only be assembling kits in the us plant. This is all they have to do to avoid the chicken tax on imported pickup trucks.
The spec sheet lists 8" clearance if I remember correctly. But remember this company has been producing Jeep like utility vehicles for decades now. I really wanted them to buy Jeep. But I really think they determined that their quality is already much better. They actually look like jeep offspring.
I am hoping for a great little diesel sport truck. That can also getrdone when you need 4wd or need to haul 4,000or more boats.
The clearance is exactly 8.3".
Haul 4000+ boats? Must be a super truck!
Hopefully they get everything done in time for release in spring.
Already have a waiting list for these trucks at our dealership. Not taking deposits yet due to no pricing sheeys yet. Call jeff at 540 564-0990 for more information. Will have website up and running with a blog to keep people informed on the status and progress. the MPG WILL be over 30+ and the SUV coming later with unheard of MPG with a third row seat 4wd with 50+ it sounds like!
Hey!!! how about building that beautiful truck in Chatham where there is already an existing Navistar plant. Or does Navistar corporate have their head too far up their asses to realize it!!!!!
i am so glad this internet thing works and your article really helped me.
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