The Mahindra Pikup has gone beyond a joke. You cannot hope to have some reasonable market penetration, when your marketing and management of the introduction of the Pikup is being seen as dreadful.

What a sad outcome. Ranger going away. Colorado/canyon is CRAP. nissan? toy-boy? there is no competition for what they were offering. The Dakota I left off because it is NOT a small pickup. And the mpg's DO matter.

What a blown oportunity.

Not sure who to point fingers at, John Perez for being too optimistic. Or at Pawan Goenka for misleading/unattainable timelines. At this point it does not matter. They have blown any chance at a forgiving public at introduction. Any of us who might have had thoughts about checking out a new sort of pickup are no longer interested. Why? Because you can expect the same kind of jerking around if you have a problem or need a repair. Who would be happy waiting 18 months or longer to get a major replacement part? ( clutch, tranny, engine) If they sell sooner or later one is going to break. I just don't want to be the unlucky shmuck that has 'the one'.
Instead of being this great high mileage inexpensive little pickup that shows up at just the right time, when we are in a bad economy and fuel prices are out the roof. Mahindra could have given us some relief, and had vehicles on the road. People could have seen how economical they were and buildt a following. Instead they make high unsubstaniated claims, and make no attempt at proving them.....

That puts Mahindra's cred right there with that free bubble-up and rainbow stew.

In my opinion, pickuptrucks.com should call them on it. Get Pawan Goenka to put up and get them here, or shut up and go away, forever. Broken promises, corporate lies? We don't know the truth. But it feels like ENRON. And which of you hasn't heard a pile of corporate lies in the last 18 months?

Fredie
Fanny
AIG
Goldman
any politician you can name.

WOW what a joke!!!!! I dont think this will ever happen. Proably would have worked well for them but I lost all hope for this truck.

Fellas, I like you have been disappointed by the delays, but don’t you think it is a bit premature to be so harsh before we even see a truck? They obviously have some things to sort out before they launch for the first time in America. You are right that they won’t last long if they do not deliver on the truck and stand behind their product in parts and service, but the time to really pass judgment in my mind has not happened already. I am relieved to hear from a reputable Mahindra source that the testing is complete and THEY ARE ACTUALLY COMING. I am going to wait to pass judgment until I see a truck and get to drive it. What is clear is that the big boys --- Ford, GM, Dodge --- seem to be abandoning the segment. Meanwhile an unknown (to us) from India decides they want to rejuvenate it with A DIESEL that offers F-150-like payload and upwards of 30 MPG. I give them a lot of credit. Give’em a break

If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it's a duck. Pawan is the same dufus that months ago told many "don't worry, the trucks are on their way."

Still no crash test results. Anyone have an ounce of hope that tr20 and tr40 crash results will be positive when they have been so poor abroad?

They've lost all credibility.

I should add... in this day and age of automotive mistakes and secrecy you'd have to have no common sense to repeat the same mistake. All of this and the truck's likeability is still a big questionmark. We kjnow quality and parts availability has been a Mahindra issue elsewhere. Their actions to date indicate little chance of success in this market.

As already said, public needs testing data such as crash testing. What kind of options. Also with no reliability data people aren't going to buy in drives. As article states "They don't like to give out much info". What happens when there is a recall of some kind? Ten times worse than Toyota has been with informing public timely? My first thought on looks, isn't the rear axle a little to forward if/when owners may want to do towing a somewhat heavy trailer? I'd want the axle back more or is my thought all wet? That area behind seats looks to small to be of any use. What will ride quality be like?
With Ranger dying off, and I thought GM said it was stopping their small truck production too, I think both in a year or so would come back with something. Old name plates seem to keep coming back although some should stay dead.

The Ranger isn't dead. It will be produced through 2011. By the time this Mahindra thing gets here Ford will probably have a new small truck or soon after. Don't worry.

Does anyone here actually believe the latest December date?

pricing starts around 22,000? that's ridiculous. The ranger starts at 18,000. The f-150 starts at 22,000. I think this truck is going to be a failure at that price. Must be the diesel engine and the tariff. I'd probably be excited about this truck if they could sell it starting around 17,000. It seems the only advantage this truck will have is fuel mileage, maybe more ability to tow for a small truck? but that doesn't matter as much when the truck costs 4,000 more than other small trucks.

Would anybody seriously consider buying a truck made in India, particularly given the lack of follow-through on the launch? Can you imagine getting parts for this thing?

Wow. I respected Mahindra at first, but this is getting ridiculous. I'm beginning to think this vehicle will end up on the Worst Blunders of All Time list.

Here's the entry:

"Buyers in America were tempted by the Mahindra TR-40 when it was first announced. It seemed to have it all: A four-cylinder diesel was the first in a truck in decades, while a small profile tempted American truck fans that wanted smaller size than the average F-150.

"But supplier problems and missed deadlines sullied the effort soon after it was announced. After safety and mileage testing pushed production date further and further behind, potential buyers began to turn to the Tacomas and Rangers already on the market.

"Once the Mahindra finally reached market in April of 2011, it was found to be ugly, underpowered, underdeveloped, poorly designed, uncomfortable, unrefined, and lacking in the amenities and feature content Americans expect in their trucks, and did poorly in safety tests. By then Toyota's new Tacoma, and later in 2012 Ford's Ranger, eclipsed the Mahindra TR-40 entirely. Mahindra finally released a competitive product (the Scorpio) to American shores five years later. But it took much longer to recover from the bad press from its early failure."

I can practically see this situation when a customer shows up at Mahindra's dealership for a routine oil change and he is being told oil filters will not arrive until next spring... :-)

And what about the infamous Mahindra test drive? It's been well over a year now and not a peep.

Very sad as many could really use a small, fuel efficient diesel pickup. Thanks for nothing Mahindra!

Mahindra = Dumb
Global Vehicles = Dumber
American consumers waiting for this truck = Dumberer

I agree with most of the posts - no credibility.
I don't believe the 22,000 start price.
Is Tata willing to adsorb the 25% chicken tax to aid market penetration?
They were talking to International for assembly.
We'll see an "all new" Ranger before these guys get wheels on the ground.

Perhaps certain individuals in the paperwork process have been persuaded to "misplace" or "delay" the process. Regardless, it does not help Mahindra at all.

A good truck or not, perception may rule over reality. With this kind of news, the perception is not good.

"Meanwhile an unknown (to us) from India decides they want to rejuvenate it with A DIESEL that offers F-150-like payload and upwards of 30 MPG. I give them a lot of credit. Give’em a break"

It has been selling like stone in Australia. A crash worthiness rating of 1(should be pulled off the market). You would sight more UFO's here than a Mahindra.
Incentives to get it sold.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/52248/mahindra-pik-up-launches-rock-bottom-sale/
Road Test of the Mahindra 2010
http://www.caradvice.com.au/65137/mahindra-pik-up-review-road-test/

Are you sure that Malcolm Bricklin isnt behind this whole venture??
From Zastava to Mahindra...

Anyone arguing to gives these clods a break must be drinking the koolaid.

Ken,
Here is a test of sorts.

Autralians not too impressed with the new 2010 Mahindra:
http://tinyurl.com/2bgsqwt

It's not looking too good!

With the Ranger going bye-bye and the Coronado/Colorado iffy and Nissan not doing much it will be easy for Mahindra to gain 7-8% of the market or more. However this being a 70's style truck I don't look for it to do much at all. I don't think the quality the U.S. buyers are accustomed to is there. Unless something drastic happens, they probably won't last 5 years. Come on Ford, listen to us, give us a small truck. Not some cheap F150.

NO CRED
Wow. You could not invent a worse way to launch in a country that is supplied by the likes of Ford, Chevy, Dodge/Ram - the best makers in the world. This is a fail just itching to be made. I would NEVER want a truck made in an Indian garage with hand tools by who knows who. No thanks big, big time. Try some other country.

And Ford, do you see where you could take Ranger? It's name comes up again and again. Grow a pair and do what should be done.

I GIVE UP! I'm looking elsewhere for a cute little pickup! With all these delays, I don't think Mahindra is going to sell trucks here in the US at all! I could make a truck of a block of wood and it could sell better than this!

Back on topic - the shocking truth is this truck is a pipe dream.

after all that is said and done, it probably will be a pretty good tough truck.

...and when that is found out, you can't get one any more.

heh heh heh

When I see irrational corporate behavior, esp. from a group that has accumulated as much corporate capital as south Asia, I have to wonder if the government is involved. Stick with me here. I live in California. This cretinous state is the one with the pony-tailed environmentalists at Cal EPA who throw every roadblock possible in front of anything with a diesel in it. For example, if I want a Grand Cherokee with a Bluetec engine, I have to get a used one from out of state. Problem is, even with the recession, California is still the car market that any mfr. has to think about satisfying. If this state won't certify the Mahindra, chances are its corporate sponsors don't want to waste a roll-out. For the culprit here, I'm looking right at home, at the state government with the largest deficit and the best chance of being the first in history to go bankrupt.

Anti - Hindu or Muslim posts make truck guys look like a bunch of ignorant morons.
We have had our share of home grown wack jobs(just to name a few):
Timothy Mcveigh
Ted Kaczynski
Jim Jones

Lou,
Newsflash: there has been terrorist attacks for years, being reported as NOT TERRORISM RELATED. To not know this, you have to be sound asleep, just as the Islam-complicit govt wants you. The overwhelming preponderance of terrorists are Muslims. McVeigh, for instance, wasn't the only one involved and was involved with Muslim terrorists and al-aqueda. You are either with us or against us. Who is Mahindra working for? That would be a good question for a blog post but due to being too politically correct it won't happen on this site. So we will just be getting updates every couple months that this truck has been delayed yet again.

Lou - It’s called free speech. It may or may not be Kosher for, or on this website but none the less, it’s what it is. And being afraid to speak is just what some people in this world want from us. That makes it real easy for them, does it not? Having “our share of home grown wack jobs” misses the point. There are whack jobs to go around in every culture, but we don’t have to look the other way from theirs when it could mean harm to us, do we? Anti-anything posts don’t make “truck guys” more moronic than anyone else. Have you tuned into MSNBC lately?

"Anti - Hindu or Muslim posts make truck guys look like a bunch of ignorant morons.
We have had our share of home grown wack jobs(just to name a few):"

What has this got to do with how bad the Mahindra is? Most people here are typing on a Computer made by Communist Chinese..you still use it.

Good Grief !!

There are terrorists, psychopaths, zellots or what ever you chose to call them all over the world.

Attaching a religious or national label to them makes things worse.
These people or groups love to hide behind religion or ideology.
Their goals are purely political, but we get sucked into the religious aspect that terrorists use to recruit the "ignorant" in their countries.

Our steriotyping of people fuels their causes and shows the world that we are no better.

A murderer is still a murderer, wether you do it in the name of Islam or Christianity.

Free speech is a right and along with that right comes tremendous responsibility.

The responsibility we have is to be informed and not spread fear or hatred.

Fear begets hatred, and hatred begets fear.

What is a terrorist? One that incites fear, and terror. Your posts show that their agenda is working, and your posts incite hatred towards those we think we should fear.

We all forget that Christians, Jews, and Muslims believe in the same God.

I start to grow weary of the waiting and the pricing.

There are terrorists, psychopaths, zellots or what ever you chose to call them all over the world.

Attaching a religious or national label to them makes things worse.
These people or groups love to hide behind religion or ideology.
Their goals are purely political, but we get sucked into the religious aspect that terrorists use to recruit the "ignorant" in their countries.

Our steriotyping of people fuels their causes and shows the world that we are no better.

A murderer is still a murderer, wether you do it in the name of Islam or Christianity.

Free speech is a right and along with that right comes tremendous responsibility.

The responsibility we have is to be informed and not spread fear or hatred.

Fear begets hatred, and hatred begets fear.

What is a terrorist? One that incites fear, and terror. Your posts show that their agenda is working, and your posts incite hatred towards those we think we should fear.

We all forget that Christians, Jews, and Muslims believe in the same God.

Lou,
Then why doesnt the non-extremist Muslim community come out and denounce the terror attacks,instead they are silent !! There is such a thing as Muslim Extremists and they want America dead !! They are Muslim and Extremists,no word changing the left loves to do will change it !! This is a proven fact !! This administration proved that calling them anything but Muslim extremists,they call them friends ect.This administration goes oversea's and says how bad America is and it doesnt make them want to come over and give you a kiss,they still want us dead !! No matter what we call them,we cant change what they are,Muslim Extremists ! And if you still dont get it,your head is burried deep in the sand !!

Amen.

Then why doesnt the non-extremist Muslim community come out and denounce the terror attacks?

They do - but it's not a big media news story. There are many moderate Islamic's out there that would be more than willing to explain the Koran.
But would people listen?

Probably not!

The point is: slagging a company for being Japanese,or Chinese, or Hindu, or Sikh, or Muslim makes things worse. The USA already has a bad reputation in the world. Why feed into it.

There are extremists of every kind in this world.

We do have the right to defend ourselves. Racism or religious profiling does not fall under self defence.

This site is not the place for discussing political or religious extremism.

Freedom of Speech is a great right.

It comes with great responsibility.

A narrow point of view leads to abuse of this right.

Abuse leads to loss.

Fear begets hate.

Hate begets fear.

You can chose wether you want to break the cycle or feed into it.

Note: To anyone wondering about the posts you see.... the really bad ones were removed by the site administrator.

I think Mahindra will take much longer than December of this year to "launch". December of 2011 may be more realistic.
Regardless of wether or not they do get trucks on the ground - I don't think they'll go anywhere.

I'd bet a years worth of payments that we won't see one of these at all. Awhile back someone mentioned a newer version of these trucks coming. I bet the launch here is delayed till the newer truck is being produced.

Then again, it's close to 50/50 we never see one at this rate.

I was at a local discount store in the Flint, Michigan area this evening and saw a crew cab test mule. This truck had a Michigan manufacturers plate on it. It was a left-hand drive so I'm assuming it is a North American model.
There was a woman driving it with at least one passenger. It appeared that she dropped off the passenger.
I was surprised at how large the truck looked from the outside. I'm not sure on the "official" height of the truck, but it was up there. Probably not quite the height of my GMC 1500, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was close.
To be honest, I've always hoped that the truck would look better in person. Unfortunately, it doesn't. Aside from the actual size, it looks just like the pictures. One thing that caught me off-guard was the size/shape/location of the exhaust pipe. It seemed to just be hanging off the rear of the vehicle. The closest description I can come up with for the shape is a pea-shooter. It just looked odd. I didn't get close enough to see the interior at all.
I did manage to snap 2 pictures. Both of them from the rear of the truck.
As I stated before, I'm disappointed with the appearance of the truck. My wife will never let me bring home something that looks like it belongs on a safari. It would probably grow on me, but she would probably need something that looks at least as good as the Chevy Luv.
Mike, if you are interested in the pictures let me know.

Guys this is a truck that isn't going to make it in the US. I know everyone says they want a truck that is a truck not a luxury vehicle that cost $45K+.... It will be a niche at best a few people will buy it. It's ugly for one. Probably doesn't pass emissions or safety requirements. They will probably have to spend lots of money to get it there. That will just increase the cost of the vehicle in the end. It's been going to come here for a long time and they have missed date after date on arrival. For the price of the this truck you can go out an purchase a good used dodge/ford/chevy diesel that will be a much better truck used than this thing new. I just don't see it happening...

The message I get is that Mahindra is trying to be a new Cola in a Pepsi and Coke world that is fizzing away into denial. What a big mistake. A diesel, with a manual transmission and third world robustness with a minimum of electronics and a plasticky feel is what we need. (yes, no moon roofs or electric windows) Have you seen the conditions on California Roads? In one extreme you have the biodiesel nut and on the other side you have "when the revolution comes" survivalist that wants to have access to diesel. Not enough for a market, but a lot of passion! There is a reasonable market in the middle that wants an all around robust transportation solution. At 30 MPG, Diesel RWD and manual transmission makes sense; it lasts... WE WANT SOMETHING THAT LASTS!

There is this idea that car companies have, that customers want to finance a 25K car. This is supposed to be fuel efficient subcompact truck, not a Tacoma "light" from an unknown Indian brand. It is not made for the "finance it crowd" A bare bones Mahindra should appeal to the type of American that built this country, that wants a low total cost of ownership and is aiming for the 10 year, 300K mile minimum life cycle. A Mahindra type truck is for people that can put away 19K in cash and do not want to deal with nonsense at dealerships. Mahindra should connect to the original Jeep DNA and ignore the Tacoma market.

Americans are demanding, but the idea that the auto companies can survive on the prior type of indebted American buyer that is constantly upgrading is nuts.
It seems that auto manufacturers are behaving like banks that occasionally sell cars. That is why they fear the long term buyer. But it is those long-term owners that build the brand. This is lesson that Toyota forgot. In California, because of no salt, you can still see lot's of banged up R-22 4 cylinder gas Toyotas with 300K miles and nearing the 20 year mark. That is a testament to a good design. Like the DC3 of subcompact trucks.

I drive the Ranger for 37.5 hours a week for work. If it was in a manual and a diesel, I would be in heaven, but Ford does not see it. Mahindra and Toyota are settling in to the same stupid rhythm. (Volkswagen are you listening?)

@Victor Rabinovich - great post.
We've lost our way. We finance every thing, we want the latest and greatest, and just keep piling up debt. Banks and car companies do not like guys who pay cash and keep a rig forever. They don't want to make a super reliable truck either because they know you won't need to buy another one. I just read that GM wants to get back into financing sales so they can sell vehicles to people with poor credit. Isn't that what caused the world's economic crisis in the first place?

"The Ranger isn't dead. It will be produced through 2011. By the time this Mahindra thing gets here Ford will probably have a new small truck or soon after. Don't worry."

Worry. The most recent pronouncements from Mullaly and Friends are: No More Ranger (-no- replacement after next year other than a full-sized F150 w/an Ecoboost engine), soon to be joined by No More Mercury. And No Diesel on any Ford vehicle sold in the US except super-duty behemoths.

I think Dr No has suddenly taken over in Dearborn.

I have a '01 4.0 ranger 4x4 offroad. Pulled my 3000lb travel trailer to Alaksa and back last year getting 13 mpg. Had I a tug with a 4cyl CR diesel I could have pulled the load nicely at 21 mpg and saved enough for two more charter fishing trips.

There is a market for this thing.. nothing else comes close except maybe in Europe. I'll wait and see what the reviews are after two years and if decent I will buy one with 4x4. The delay wont matter.