A recent report from J.D. Power & Associates indicates Indian company Mahindra & Mahindra's (M&M) consumer-level products may not be ready for prime time in the world's largest car market. Anand Mahindra, the company's vice chairman and managing director, has told its U.S. distributor that it will delay the launch of its trucks for six months as it re-evaluates the product for American use. The extra time will also be used to continue preparing the company's diesel engine for full 50-state certification.
Still scheduled to hit the streets in 2009, M&M's trucks will not arrive until the fourth quarter instead of the late first or early second quarters as previously planned. M&M's U.S. distributor, Georgia-based Global Vehicles USA, Inc., is still eager to begin sales of the truck, but t he company's concerns with quality are overriding. To test the performance of its vehicles further, the maker plans to drive 3.2 million vehicle miles via its 25-truck fleet, reports Automotive News.
A recent J.D. Power survey, commissioned by M&M itself, found several key areas of improvement that would be necessary to ensure a successful launch for the brand in the U.S. Improved seats, headliners cupholders and interior design are just a few of the 196 elements outlined in the resulting report. Anand Mahindra is reported to have told John Perez, CEO of Global Vehicles, "My family's name is going onto this vehicle, and it's not going to fail."
Their entry into the market seems timely as consumers downsize from large pickups and trucks into smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. A diesel-powered version of the company's truck will arrive in 2010, prepared to meet the EPA's new 50-state emissions certification, though it has not yet been approved. The pickup is expected to come as both a two-door and a four-door, with a 2.2L four-cylinder diesel unit capable of achieving 30mpg (7.84L/100km) during highway driving, according to Mahindra & Mahindra execs. It will also be capable of carrying 1.3 tons of cargo, and despite not having the cachet of a well-known brand, the pickup is expected to be popular with consumers on a budget.
In addition to the pickup, a compact SUV is expected to follow in early 2010 that will be based on a much-improved Mahindra & Mahindra Scorpio, made for the Indian market. The American retail version will have a new interior and various features that are expected to make the car more palatable to discerning customers, including new styling and safety features.
More vehicles are expected to come after 2010, including a larger pickup.
Reader Comments
Tue Aug 26 2008 8:41 AM
mlevere1992 says
Maybe they should go back to the drawing board and create a whole new design. The truck looks like an early 1970s Datsun 1600 pickup with an ugly grill.
Tue Aug 26 2008 3:19 PM
Laz says
I was thinking Ford/Mazda Courier...
Mon Sep 1 2008 5:06 PM
NoNameDenton says
Does it matter how it looks, with a diesel engine, with all that low end torque and great milage, should sell a a nice clip.
Mon Sep 1 2008 5:58 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
Hmmm!!! Does it matter how it looks? Having lived in America for some twenty plus years now, I can safely say that 99.9999% of Americans care about their image.
This truck may however do well in your farming communites that already buy their tractors. Does anyone know if their tractors are any good?
Mon Sep 1 2008 8:51 PM
NoNameDenton says
mywheelsonwalls, have you met every single person in America to make that statement that 99% of Americans car about how their car looks, and if you say yes, I know your lying.
Mon Sep 1 2008 11:53 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
NoNameDenton- I have not met every American but I have watched my fair share of car clinics that manufacturers hold by inviting in Joe Blow public. They all start and end the same way style, style, and "oh I really like the way I look in my vehicle!"
Besides the compact truck market is owned by the Japanese and every one of them has a diesel version in other markets, although not here yet you can bet their coming.....
We're a pretty vain bunch on this side of the Atlantic, their is even a song about it, so if you want our money it had better make a statement or say something positive about us as an indiividual.
There is only one vehichle on sale in America this ugly that conforms to the above theory and that would be this http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/MBHome.html#/exploreOverview/?vmf=G500&yr=2008&vc=G Things maybe different nowadays but when they first came out back in the seventies they were infact manufactured by Puch a moped manufacturer. They were as fast as mopeds too!!!!
Past winners of this achievement that are no longer made for the general public would be a Lambo LM002 and the Hummer H1 both of which I would love to own.
Tue Sep 2 2008 7:57 AM
Jim says
Who cares what it looks like, a Tacoma sized truck with a payload capacity of 2200# to 2700# (the Taco/Nissan Frontier have only 1400-1700) with mid 20's fuel economy, just start selling it.
Tue Sep 2 2008 9:25 AM
Laz says
If they drop a diesel in a Toyo Taco that would get gas milage in the high 20's if not low 30's I would trade in my little Scion for one!
Tue Sep 2 2008 3:33 PM
NoNameDenton says
mywheelsonwalls, I sold cars for a job, I know the buying public well.
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