Posted on 06/27/2009 6:09:34 AM PDT by Cronos
Mahindra says it plans to start sending two- and four-door versions of a truck — here, it is called simply the Pik-Up — to the United States by year-end. Its distribution partner is Global Vehicles U.S.A., an Atlanta-based importer. The second act is to come next year with imports of a version of the Scorpio that I tested, modified for American tastes and standards.
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Mahindra’s American strategy is to offer high value and good mileage from efficient diesel engines.
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For people willing to take a look, the Mahindra should stand out, with quirky looks, a tough-truck résumé and what Global Vehicles promises will be the best mileage of any pickup sold in America.
Bigger than the compact Ford Ranger but smaller than the midsize Dodge Dakota, the trucks’ cargo and towing capacity will beat the existing models in either category, the company says.
With a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel — rated at 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque — the pickup will be capable of more than 30 m.p.g. on the highway, Global Vehicles says. The truck will offer a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard safety features including antilock brakes and electronic stability control. Options are to include leather seats and a navigation system. Pricing isn’t set, but the company says a well-equipped model is likely to be in the mid-$20,000 range.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
The pickup truck looks like a crude copy of the previous generation Toyota Tacoma Quad Cab.
But, if it’s not a piece of junk, not a death trap and is cheap enough, I’d be glad to give it a look. Small diesels in small trucks make sense for most applications, and are common in all the world, except here.
It looks better than the trucks Ford is making these days.
But how can you resist the provocative new bonnet scoop, lol?
“Chunky Door Handles” are a feature?
It’s provoking derision right now.
“The company would also have to ramp up production of left-hand-drive versions and add air bags for the American market. The vehicles will have to meet safety and emission standards. Crash tests have to be conducted and the engines will have to meet strict new federal limits on smog-causing emissions. Mahindra is installing a smog-fighting Bosch urea-injection system similar to those used by German automakers.”
And then, only then, can they begin to market this thing to people who live and die by brand name loyalty. I mean, they’re talking about hundreds of millions of dollars just to get the product to pass legal and civil liability concerns for the American market.
The only thing that they’ve got is the willingness to install a diesel engine in the thing. Mopar was ready to do that too, and started to do that, before Daimler bailed and the bottom dropped out. Diesel is great, but Americans remember the Olds diesel, the diesel Chevette, and the very under-powered 1980’s diesel VW Rabbit.
The road armour bumpers will withstand all derision, no?
A new Tacoma diesel (when & if offered) will probably go for $40K+. It would be nice to see some American small truck diesel options.
The Chevy Chevette was an extremely basic car, and prone to rusting out as were many GM vehicles of that era. But, the diesel models that survived are actually fairly coveted, and most have been converted to run biodiesel.
“It would be nice to see some American small truck diesel options.”
As I recall, Mopar was heading down that road, and have a couple of Jeeps in production. They had a Dodge Caravan w/ a diesel that supposedly got 30-35 mph too.
But, hey, THE ONE says we need electric cars, to be recharged by windmills on the top, which will be turned as the car goes down the road... right?
I thought they were being sarcastic. Apparently not. It’s marketing types reaching pathetically for something, anything, to pitch. Everything people say they don’t like about American cars. But because it’s foreign, it’s quaint and ok.
It looks like the hilux the jihadis drive.
No kiddin !
That might be an admission against interest.
Yes, and luckily the vehicle is hybrid, powered dually by diesel fuel and ignorance of American marketing, so the mileage will be super!
That's what I tell my wife.
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