Mahindra

[simimike]

I see where Mahindra has postponed the debut of their new trucks for six more months. I getting tired of waiting for these. Maybe I'll just buy a Crosslander.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[DirtyDog]

There was a blurb about Mahindra in the latest Overland Journal. They mentioned that Mahindra was having a difficult time finding dealers in the US that wanted to carry them. Then they mention that maybe all these Chrysler and GM dealers that got screwed might be needing a new brand to carry.....

Also in OJ was mention again how stupid the US manufacturers have been in limiting diesel engine offerings when clearly there is strong demand for them. That seems to be a point of contention here at WTW - the actual demand. I am in the camp that believes that there is strong demand for small turbo diesels. I would buy one and I know many other people that would as well. IMO the real problem here is that our car companies are ran by dummies that can't forecast for more than 2 years and use the price of fuel today to make product decisions.

I hate to see another overseas brand hit dealers when our manufacturing base is in such trouble, but I'm not sure how I can complain when US car companies are ran the way that they are.

 

[DirtyDog]

From Mahindra:

Mahindra’s mid-size trucks and SUVs offer a blend of ruggedness, performance and affordability. They have the largest payload of any compact pickup truck (2,765 pounds)* and an estimated 5,000 pound towing capacity*.

Top it off with a 4-year 60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and you’ll find that these babies are even more cost-efficient than the best hybrids and are brimming with uncompromising features.

30 MPG* • 4-WHEEL ABS BRAKES • UNIQUE STYLING • EXTRA LONG CARGO BED • ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL • TRACTION CONTROL • ROLL-OVER MITIGATION • 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION • AM/FM/CD/USB AUDIO SYSTEM

Forget everything you thought you knew about diesel engines.

Turbocharged Mahindra clean diesels provide a power-packed 30 miles per gallon creating benefits beyond any other vehicle in its class.

Mahindra’s common rail diesels are cleaner, quieter, greener and more efficient than ever. Our new generation of clean-burning diesels emit 97 percent fewer sulfur emissions than old-school diesels and virtually no sooty particulates. They produce 30 percent fewer greenhouse gases per mile than gasoline engines – while getting 20 to 40 percent better fuel mileage. And they do it all while maintaining the traditional diesel advantages of more torque and greater durability.

 

[the fisherman]

From Mahindra:

And each and everyone of them will be blessed by Mahatma Ghandi himself, I can't wait to get mine.

 

[kcowyo]

Maybe I'll just buy a Crosslander.



Ahhh yes, the much vaunted, never gonna happen Crosslander -

Some friends of mine lost a ton of money signing up to be a dealer for those turkeys. Nice concept though. Shame it didn't happen.
.

 

[simimike]

DD, I agree. If Ford,Chevy or Dodge put a small high MPG diesel in a pick-up I would buy one today. To me there is a large pent up demand for such a vehicle. I live in "The House of a Thousand Projects" and would love such a truck to run around the happy valley doing my errands. Plus how many tradesmen, gardeners and delivery people could use such a truck? If the current small truck manufacturers don't wake up, Mahindra and Tata will step in to meet the demand.

kcowyo, The same guy that brought us the Crosslander is bringing us the Mahindra. Is it another never going to happen deal? Or is Mahindra using delaying tactics so they can call them Saturns?

 

[kcowyo]

I'm not privy to any info on the Mahindra. But two friends sank almost $20K into becoming a franchised Crosslander dealership and it never happened. Last I heard about it, they weren't expecting a refund either... I know what the Mahindra is, but not much else. I haven't really followed it's development. I wasn't even aware of the tie to the Crosslander. That's interesting. And not very encouraging...
.

 

[jcfly]

I hate to see another overseas brand hit dealers when our manufacturing base is in such trouble, but I'm not sure how I can complain when US car companies are ran the way that they are.

Most American corporations are poorly run. They can't see the forest because all those damn trees are in the way!

You'd think Toyota and Nissan would literally leap into the diesel market - where are they? Hello?? Buehler....
Buehler....

 

[craig333]

I know Mahindra has been building vehicles in India for a long time. They make a version on the Jeep CJ3B I wish would be imported. Its not a johnny come lately company. Though I won't speculate on this project.

 

[chnlisle]

I've been waiting for ages for a Mahindra for Pam. Yeah that's it Pam, she needs one it's for her. No really it is.

 

[DirtyDog]

Here's an interesting article that states Mahindra plans a diesel hybrid and that Mahindra's sold in the US will be built in Ohio:

http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/news/mahindra/dieselhybridandmore.html

 

[brett13]

I posted a while back wondering why Toyota doesn't bring the Hilux version to the US. 30mpg diesel with 50% more payload in a Taco body. I think we all speculated that the US diesel standards are too tough (lax on CO2; tight on NOX and particulates which Europe doesn't care so much about). And in the US, there just isn't the diesel supply there is overseas. Our refineries specialize in gas and we don't even have enough of those.

 

[simimike]

Brett, good point about the production capacities of the refineries. They can be adjusted relatively cheaply. I'm a little sceptical about the oil companies. Here's why, In the L.A area there are four large refineries. About ten years ago the gasoline pipeline from L.A. to Phoenix broke. Since this was gasoline it would take a few weeks to repair. Now you would think that the LA area would be flooded with gas. And the price would drop. But nooo, the price went up. Why you ask? The gas for Phoenix was put in trucks and driven to Phoenix. At the end of the day gas was cheaper in Arizona then two miles from the refinery. The California drivers where subsidizing the fine folks in Arizona. Politics.

Also why would the oil companies want to lower sales 10 or 20%? Diesel can be made from other things besides oil. The oil companies would lose their lock on fuel supplies. I do try to stay in touch with reality thou. Bio diesel is an alternative not a solution. However you can make diesel in your garage. Wouldn't want to try that with gas. As you can guess I'm a proponent of diesel. If halve the vehicles in the U.S. where diesel that would move us much closer to energy independence. Throw in some solar and wind farms and we can say go pound sand to OPEC. End of rant.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[chnlisle]

We here in AZ salute you (now that I live here.) Diesel in L.A. today $2.75 in Tucson $2.33.