Mahindra 4x4 pickup

[4Rescue]

... Their taste in wheels, light bars, etc on the upmarket versions is terrible and will only turn off potential buyers...

Or we could see a "re-birth" of 80's style North American wheeling... It's a toss up (but yeah, I REALLY dislike the upscale'rs cosmeticaly)

I'll be very dissapointed if we ONLY get the up scale full time 4wd gasser's like we do from nearly every other company... Oh why can't some of just order the truck we WANT instead of just puting up with what they offer stateside... Now I'm dreaming of TD V8 78's

Cheers

Dave

 

[CA-RJ]

If you look here, Mahindra is selling regular cab, 2wd trucks without the bed for $16,990 AU which is $12,916.21 US. I'm still waiting to see if we actually see them this year (or ever). I could still go for a regular cab 4wd if the price and quality is right.

 

[FreeManDan]

Diesel ram 1500 v6 AND v8, KILLED! Diesel Silverado 1500, KILLED! Diesel f-150 on hold for a year or more! Liquid propane F-150, $9,000 on top of it...other than a used full sized big three for mid 20 grand, does and one have a choice? I’m not even that enthusiastic about anything from India, I’ve been on the phone with India more than any other country :mixed-smiley-030:

 

[spencyg]

So GVUSA approached a number of Saturn dealerships directly with the idea of becoming joint Saturn/Mahindra dealers. Reportedly, a few dealers signed up.QUOTE]

I wonder what the new status is of this whole venture stands with Saturn now chopped and GM bankrupt? I'm waiting for SOMEBODY to explain to me why small diesels are so hard to get into this country???????? I constantly revert back to the big oil influences and the efficiency associated with diesels but keep hoping it is something less sinister....

Spence

 

[Capt Sport]

I'm waiting for SOMEBODY to explain to me why small diesels are so hard to get into this country???????? I constantly revert back to the big oil influences and the efficiency associated with diesels but keep hoping it is something less sinister....

Nope, you pretty much hit the nail right on the head.

But now that Roger Penske auto group is buying Saturn maybe we'll see these trucks on our shores yet.

 

[chet]

That would be cool. With a detroit diesel in them! (seeing as Penske owns them as well)

 

[gary in ohio]

I am on the list for a test drive, but with the Economy they way it is it will be interesting to see if GV can deliver a product this fall. The ONLY way they are going to compete is to be cheaper. They need to be the kia/Hyundai of the truck world. Diesel or mileage isnt going to lure people alone. Will the masses risk toyota or nissan class dollars on an unknown vehicle from a no-name company? I think not.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I am on the list for a test drive, but with the Economy they way it is it will be interesting to see if GV can deliver a product this fall. The ONLY way they are going to compete is to be cheaper. They need to be the kia/Hyundai of the truck world. Diesel or mileage isnt going to lure people alone. Will the masses risk toyota or nissan class dollars on an unknown vehicle from a no-name company? I think not.

Well, it depends.

Because automobiles and trucks are so expensive, people tend to be very "risk averse" in making their choices (that's why brand reputation is so critical.)

The only ways to "break in" to the existing market are (1) undercut their price, or (2) offer something that nobody else does.

The Hyundai/Kia strategy is #1 (but also note that the automotive graveyards are littered with the bodies of those who tried the same thing and failed: Yugo, Renault, Daihatsu and others come to mind.)

However, offering a decent small diesel could be the #2 strategy. Small diesels were introduced briefly in the early 80's in quite a few cars and trucks but most of them were such poor performers that the manufacturers quickly pulled them from the market and diesel left a bad taste in their mouths ever since.

If Mahindra can do it right this time, by offering a diesel that has decent power, reliability and is "friendly" (i.e. not excessively noisy/dirty/smoky) then they could get their foothold in the market that way.

 

[gary in ohio]

The key will be vehicle price. While I would love a diesel I am not sure many folks are ready for it. Heck just getting fuel can be difficult in some areas. I am lucky and live in a more rural area where diesel pickups and farm equipment abound, diesel if pretty much available at most stations.

In the big city finding diesel is a lot harder.

While I am sure the tree huggers will love the green 30mpg, in reality the actual dollar savings is not all that great jumping by 10mpg.

Figuring 15k/miles year and today's fuel price of 2.85 gas and 2.49 diesel.
GAS DIESEL
20mpg is 750 gallons $2137.50 $1867.50
30mpg is 500 gallons. $1425.00 $1245.00
Yearly Difference $ 712.50 $ 622.50
Monthly Difference $ 59.38 $ 51.88

Even cranking the numbers up to $5/gal the monthly difference is around $100/monthNow you need to figure maintenance and reliability into the mix, but MPG isnt a big deal.

 

[esh]

I look at diesels not for mpg but range. If I have a little pickup to bop around in the woods I am much more relaxed going 400 miles on a tank than 250. Don't have to add an extra tank or carry cans and I can explore worry-free. Even better, torquey little truck motors do not seem to fluctuate with speed so you can putter around gravel roads or cruise down the freeway with some consistency.

Somewhat related, I was in Germany this spring and rented an Alfa Romeo GT. It had a zippy little turbo that did well on the autobahn and got something like 35-40mpg I worked out. 700 miles per tank. Was nice to be able to explore the country and not think about refueling.

To me the range is worth the engine premium price.

 

[CA-RJ]

I feel the same way. The Mahindra has the possability to go 700 miles on a tank of fuel. I really like that. I don't think I've ever need range like that, but it is a huge selling point for me. It makes my 300 miles per 19 gallon tank on my 4Runner look silly.

 

[Jigidy]

I am excited about the Mahindra...I worked in Chile and Argentina and fell in love with the Toyota Hi Lux that I got to drive for work. I wish I could have driven one back to the US! I anticipate that the Mahindra will not be of the overall quality of the Toyota but if it is anywhere close then sign me up for one! The prospect of having a nice efficient/ strong diesel gets me excited.

At 30 MPG I would trade my Chevrolet Silverado in for one for sure.

 

[SGV]

I am on the list for a test drive...

Hmm, according to http://www.mahindrana.com/index.html there are 5626 total sign-ups for a test drive. How many people are Expo members? 7776. I am guessing that not a few of us have signed up for these test drives. :wavey:I'm on the list too. It just could be that the Mahindra test-drives may be impromptu meet-n-greets in our respective areas.

 

[Gurkha]

I am excited about the Mahindra...I worked in Chile and Argentina and fell in love with the Toyota Hi Lux that I got to drive for work. I wish I could have driven one back to the US! I anticipate that the Mahindra will not be of the overall quality of the Toyota but if it is anywhere close then sign me up for one! The prospect of having a nice efficient/ strong diesel gets me excited.

At 30 MPG I would trade my Chevrolet Silverado in for one for sure.

I got news for you, Mahindra is not even one fourth in terms of the Hi Lux when it comes to reliability and refinement or the overall design.

 

[gary in ohio]

I look at diesels not for mpg but range. If I have a little pickup to bop around in the woods I am much more relaxed going 400 miles on a tank than 250.

But how big is the market where that really matters? Granted a number of the expo folks might like that, including myself, but as your urban cruiser it doesnt matter.