Report: Mahindra Still Working Toward Future Sales Date
Indian automaker Mahindra has finally completed all of the testing required to ensure its long-awaited compact diesel pickups meet U.S. federal emissions standards, says John Perez, CEO of Global Vehicles USA. But it's unclear when the trucks will go on sale, according to a report in Automotive News.
GV USA is Mahindra's exclusive distributor in the U.S. Over the past three years, the company has signed up more than 330 dealers to sell Mahindra's Scorpio platform pickups and, eventually, SUVs. During that time, several announced launch dates have been announced and postponed.
Though the testing is finished, Mahindra's trucks still require certification from the Environmental Protection Agency that they comply with U.S. Tier 2 Bin 5 regulations for diesel vehicles — the strictest diesel emissions standards in the world. Once the certification paperwork has been submitted, approval is expected to take about 30 days. The first trucks could be exported from India and arrive in the U.S. about 30 to 60 days later.
Perez also expressed his frustration with the information flow from Mahindra to GV USA.
"It's a battle with Mahindra to get information from them," Perez said. "It's not because they don't have the information. It's the culture. They don't like to make announcements."
With the Ford Ranger and Dodge Dakota poised to exit the small-truck segment next year and the fate of the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon uncertain, we're rooting for Mahindra to gain some sales traction with truck buyers who don't need a full-size pickup.
But Mahindra's missed dates and lack of communications are troubling and could encourage potential buyers to wait on the sidelines to see what happens after the trucks arrive at dealers.
Mahindra TR20 and TR40 pickups 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. 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: Automotive News]
Comments
Will the TR20 and the TR40 use the same size bed?
@Clay: No. The TR20 regular cab has a 7.5-ft box and the TR40 crew cab has a 5-ft box.
Have you seen the final US version with all of its modifications yet Mike? And if so, any pictures you can share?
So, if I read this right Mahindra has yet to submit it's paperwork to the EPA. That means that it's still 90 days from whenever they submit that paperwork before we can even hope to see trucks available for sale. For as much importance that Mahindra has put on the US for its future you would think they would have done some culture studies to see how the US expects to see information flowing when it comes to new products. But hey, if we the US don't take the time to care about other cultures then I guess I shouldn't be too surprised when they don't care about ours. I will just have to keep hoping and waiting.........
This is good news! Once the EPA hurdle is passed I’m confident Mahindra will release more information.
And I think Mike makes it abundantly clear why patience is still very much in order:
“With the Ford Ranger and Dodge Dakota both poised to exit the small truck segment next year, and the fate of the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon uncertain, we're rooting for Mahindra to gain some sales traction with truck buyers who don't need a full-size pickup.”
It’s pretty easy to see that there is currently a glaring hole in the pickup space!
CumminsDiesel said:
"For as much importance that Mahindra has put on the US for its future you would think they would have done some culture studies to see how the US expects to see information flowing when it comes to new products."
They did better than that, they contracted with a U.S. company to handle the launch and distribution. The problem seems to be that even though a distributor was set up, M&M retained total control of information, and so threw away the advantage of having an American entity. For such a smart group of people, they did indeed act stupidly.
by the time its ready to be sold they will have developed the next model...
Their methods don't look for their future expansion plans. As they botch things they will be reluctant to notify both public and goverment (ala Toyota's recent debacle). They are one big FAIL.
I'm glad they considered bringing the diesel pickup option here but they might as well wait for their next gen, less obsolete pik-up to start the entire process all over again. And gawd knows the crash tests will be another schedule milestone disaster. It's like a train wreck you can't stop watching. Yuck!
CEO of GV USA is not building confidence in Mahindra brand:
"It's a battle with Mahindra to get information from them," Perez said. "It's not because they don't have the information. It's the culture. They don't like to make announcements."
Doesn't sound like a company that I would like to hand over $30,000 to for an unproven vehicle.
My concerns are the same as Aussie's. It's taken them so long that they should just be releasing the new model.
The Pik-Up may still sell very well in the United States, though, if only because it'll be the only one of its kind on offer.
@Greg: See this story about the U.S. spec truck. http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/09/spied-usspec-mahindra-tr40-diesel-pickup.html
I haven't seen it in person yet.
At the rate it's going, by the time the Mahindra truck gets to market it will be overdue to be updated and a new look. While the truck seems like it should sell, in my opinion it's ugly from the pictures I've seen
At this rate , I'll be able to buy a crewcab Raptor, or diesel 1/2 ton. The VW Amarok will be in North America before Mahindra gets their crap together. The next big hurdle will be the "chicken tax". I doubt they'll ever get an exemption since Obama and the UAW own GM, and most of Chrysler.
In the Forums there has been threads on the Mahindra saga. Aussie will confirm, that Mahindra has become a long running joke in Australia. Maybe they will improve in the US. They have to.
@Robert Ryan
What kind of mcnugget would buy a Mahindra in Australia when there is the
Toyota Hilux / Diesel
Nissan Navara / Diesel
Mitsubishi Triton/L200 / Diesel
Holden Rodeo / Diesel
Isuzu D Max / Diesel
The Mahindra might sell in the USA because we have
The giant worthless fugly Toyota Tacoma / Gas
The old as the hills Ford Ranger / Gas
The giant Nissan Frontier / Gas
The useless GM Canyon/ Colorado / Gas
And the mega big fugly Dodge Dakota / Gas
Global Vehicles? Sounds an awful lot like Bricklin's "Global Motors" concept that failed.
And "GV" should remind us of Yugo GV.....Bricklin's most famous low priced import.
And Serbia/Yugoslavia being slow to respond or correct errors compares to Mahindra (India) dragging its feet and being tight lipped...
And Yugo never kept its promises either....
Not for many Mahindra owners, but I still wonder how they were planning to handle the leather interior option? Is that against their Hindu beliefs? I dunno, maybe another country would produce/install the seats? Would an Indian engineer or vehicle tester feel comfortable driving a leather clad truck? Maybe that's why those recent leather clad TRx0's looked so gawd awful.
"@Robert Ryan
What kind of mcnugget would buy a Mahindra in Australia when there is the
Toyota Hilux / Diesel
Nissan Navara / Diesel
Mitsubishi Triton/L200 / Diesel
Holden Rodeo / Diesel
Isuzu D Max / Diesel "
Exactly. You would have a very bad sense of judgement to buy one.
OK, really, this whole Mihiccup thing, this is just a very long joke - right? That's a chevy luv from 1973. You're telling me that people would purchase this over, what, a rotted framed Tacoma? If you are that desperate to carry a 5' long load and a family of four, then Toyota has a great 4 cyl Sienna for $25k. C'mon mike, help the cause here and stop reporting on this pile of crap. I'd rather read an entire listing of Lou's postings than anything more on this unflushable loaf.
maybe they should make a movie about this.
oh, it has already been made, in 1988.
wow, they been trying to come here for 22 years already.
hey, Global Vehicles, how long can you stay above water?
I can't for the life of me figure out why they would put in a 7.5 foot bed when an 8 foot bed would so drastically more useful.
CJ
i may be wrong, but didn't ford pull a whammy, and announce that they will continue to make rangers? didnt you just do an article like a week ago, about this suprise? something about making ranger king ranch's/ lariats?
@Allistar: The Ranger article you refer to was published on April 1. ;-)
I wonder how long it takes Kia to bring over the Hyundai H100 Dual and Quad Cab trucks they sell overseas.
It comes with a 2.5l TCI Diesel 100hp/160 LbFt torque, Dual Rear Wheel, and 4wd. Kia also makes the K3000s Dual and Quad Cab Trucks, but its the hyundai H100 thats more refined.
The Interior of a Hyundai Accent, but capable of a 1.3 Ton Payload, and available with beds capable of swallowing 4x8s in their mini utility beds.
If Mahindra is taking the risk of distributing their truck with an all new network, how hard is it for Kia/Hyundai to bring over their 4cyl versions of this truck?
Hyundai has the Detroit Diesel codeveloped 2.0l capable of ~ 150hp and 230 Lb Ft, and Hyundai has the new 2.4 GDI in the SOnata capable of 200 HP and 185 Lb Ft.
My call is you'll see more of these mini trucks as people who need the basics of a work capable trucks without the off road and towing capabilities of full size trucks switching over when you add the Kia/Hyundai warranty and dealer network behind it.
My only guess is they are waiting to see what the big 3 do for small pickups before they enter the market.
I dont think ford should stop making the ranger pickup, till they see what the price of gas is going to top out at this summer, I might be buying one, not to far from now.
Mahindra added the crewcab option but forgot to increase the wheelbase. The result is an awkward bed design with funky rear wheel placement. With the capability they're touting they would've done better by making a longer wheelbase pickup.
I really wish this truck was nicer looking and a little more civilized. Why doesn't anybody in the automotive industry realize we want a small, somewhat stylish, comfortable and economical pick up truck in this country? It's not like everybody needs a giant truck to tow a massive boat or other hardcore stuff. Many of us carry gear or clean our backyard but don't want to pay the price of 18mpg or less with just about anything that's out there.
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