India's Tata Motors introduced a new one ton diesel pickup design in January. The new truck is called the Xenon. It will be available in single cab and double cab models.
The Xenon is powered by a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine producing 140 horsepower and 250 ft-lb of torque. The 4x4 has a shift on the fly transfer case, limited slip rear differential and torsion bar independent front suspension.
Tata will produce the Xenon in Thailand, and in Argentina in partnership with Fiat. Thailand is the world's second largest market for pickup trucks (after USA), and all the Japanese companies have factories there. To make a splash in this saturated market, the introductory price of the Double cab will be less than $19,000.
Here's a Youtube video (audio in Italian, unfortunately) showing the single cab and double cab versions of the Xenon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC8J2YOqQxo
I have not read of any plans to import the Xenon to USA. If Mahindra has success with the Appalachian, I think Tata will take notice. They could sell it through their new subsidiary, Land Rover!
Chip Haven
The Xenon is powered by a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine producing 140 horsepower and 250 ft-lb of torque. The 4x4 has a shift on the fly transfer case, limited slip rear differential and torsion bar independent front suspension.
Tata will produce the Xenon in Thailand, and in Argentina in partnership with Fiat. Thailand is the world's second largest market for pickup trucks (after USA), and all the Japanese companies have factories there. To make a splash in this saturated market, the introductory price of the Double cab will be less than $19,000.
Here's a Youtube video (audio in Italian, unfortunately) showing the single cab and double cab versions of the Xenon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC8J2YOqQxo
I have not read of any plans to import the Xenon to USA. If Mahindra has success with the Appalachian, I think Tata will take notice. They could sell it through their new subsidiary, Land Rover!
Chip Haven
