Like pesky flies, the Detroit truckmakers are being attacked all fronts. First the Japanese truckmakers Detroit had to worry about. Then not long ago came rumors that the Koreans may offer trucks to sell here, and now there's news that Indian truckmaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. might also offer a truck and SUV for the U.S...
market.
Word is that executives from Mahindra will be meeting with the governor of Georgia about the possibility of setting up a factory there. Mahindra specializes in small diesel-powered trucks. All U.S. vehicles will feature common rail diesel engines, six-speed automatic transmissions with two or four wheel drive depending on the model and 4-year, 60,000-mile (96,556-kilometer) bumper-to-bumper warranties. Each is expected to get between 28 miles per gallon to 35 miles per gallon, officials said. Final prices for the vehicles have not been finalized, but are expected to begin in the low $20K range.
Full story here and here. As you can see by their web site, Mahindra & Mahindra is a very large company that shouldn't be taken lightly by Detroit, or anyone else.
Word is that executives from Mahindra will be meeting with the governor of Georgia about the possibility of setting up a factory there. Mahindra specializes in small diesel-powered trucks. All U.S. vehicles will feature common rail diesel engines, six-speed automatic transmissions with two or four wheel drive depending on the model and 4-year, 60,000-mile (96,556-kilometer) bumper-to-bumper warranties. Each is expected to get between 28 miles per gallon to 35 miles per gallon, officials said. Final prices for the vehicles have not been finalized, but are expected to begin in the low $20K range.
Full story here and here. As you can see by their web site, Mahindra & Mahindra is a very large company that shouldn't be taken lightly by Detroit, or anyone else.
bbechtel16 says:
08:00 AM, 04/24/07
55hp?!? LOL It's a Rabbit pickup, but slower because there's no way it will be as light. This won't sell in the power hungry US with a 55hp engine. Maybe buy some of those new 200hp TDI's from VW and drop them in, and probably get the same fuel economy. You could sell that.
ateixeira says:
08:36 AM, 04/24/07
I can see these appealing to small business owners, but in very limited numbers.
I wonder if they can meet US safety and emissions standards, though.
rsholland says:
08:53 AM, 04/24/07
In order to sell them here, they will have to meet all government regulations.
estreka says:
09:13 AM, 04/24/07
I believe they can be 49 state compliant. These would never sell in California anyway. California seems to have a special hatred in its heart for diesels.
civicguy3 says:
03:24 PM, 04/24/07
55 hp? Wow, definitely needs more power. 20K? For 55 hp, I expected it to be ~12K. Also, by looking at the pic, it doesn't look like it will be toyota-like in quality, to say the least. I wonder how much it weighs? Overall, id say they aren't ready to sell yet.
210delray says:
06:44 PM, 04/24/07
Flat windshield, exposed door hinges, and 55 hp? Maybe for $9999, but not $20K. I'm keeping my '98 Frontier!
autoboy16 says:
08:25 PM, 04/24/07
Personally, I'd Rather toyota buy all of ISUZU and use them as a Truck brand for all of the Trucks/SUVS... The 4runner, tundra, Fj-Cruiser, tacoma, Sequoia, and landcruiser as all of these will benefit from Isuzu's diesel engines. The Crossovers should stay at toyota.
Putting Isuzus know how with toyota's quality and $$ is a good thing. A brand like this iss good for Jeep, Landrover, Hummer, ect.
-Cj
rsholland says:
06:08 AM, 04/25/07
210delray
The photo posted may not be the vehicle that's to be sold here.
bbechtel16 says:
07:56 AM, 04/25/07
Autoboy: Your post confuses me. Are you saying Mahindra should use Isuzu diesel power? Toyota should? Huh?
autoboy16 says:
02:08 PM, 04/25/07
toyota owns part of isuzu. I think toyoya should use it as their truck line with diesel engines.
I'd rather bring back a struggling company than to use a company with no u.s. skills
-Cj