Mahindra Scorpio may offer diesel-electric hybrid when sold in U.S.
Officials from Mahindra & Mahindra, an Indian auto manufacturer, will wait until next April before announcing details on the Scorpio SUV and pickup the company will export to the U.S. However, observers say a diesel-electric hybrid version of the Scorpio will be offered along with gas models. M&M will sell the trucks through Global Vehicles, which could have 200 dealers lined up by the time the vehicles hit U.S. ports. Small car-based SUVs are holding their own in the U.S. but compact pickups are sliding fast. Maybe what the market needs is a low-priced jump start, but having a diesel certainly won't hurt.
[Source: Times of India]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Howard Lee Harkness 8:58AM (11/21/2006)
"compact pickups are sliding fast."
Could it be that's because the US manufacturers aren't making any? My Ford Ranger is about the smallest pickup currently available, and it's bigger than what I need or want. And every year, it seems that the 'compact' pickups are getting bigger.
I'm in the market for a new pickup. One that doesn't require my wife to use a stepladder to get into.
Back in 1978, there was no domestic car produced that I wanted to buy, and I looked at all of them. So I bought an import. It looks to me like a repeat of the same situation now -- except that the imports are also too damned big, so I may just hang on to my aging pickup, and not buy anything. The US manufacturers need to quit whining about the 'unfair' competition, and start making better cars.
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Jenn 12:13PM (11/21/2006)
It seems like American automakers are putting a *little* effort into making compact trucks, with the Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger, etc. These still seem large to me, but people sure aren't buying them, haha, the trucks on the road are massive (and massively annoying - can't see past, can't park by...). I think at this point, many American consumers still think they need everything supersized... I foresee progress in that area soon though, hopefully!
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Tim 2:10PM (11/21/2006)
Many American full size pickup & SUV buyers want something tall so they can see better in traffic and large so they feel safe. Some want to be able to carry 4x 8 sheets (plywood, sheetrock etc) flat in the "bed" even though most probably never will. Some like 4x4 so they don’t feel trapped when the weather turns bad. Most will never use that either. PHEV's with veggie diesel Auxiliary Power Units are perfect for these applications. They have lots of torque for accelerating heavy loads, recapture much of their acceleration energy through regenerative braking and they have plenty of room for batteries under the bed between the rails. The automobile manufacturers can build one frame/power train skateboard for each class i.e.: Small Cars, Full Size Cars & Light Truck/SUVs. They would only have to change the sheet metal and motor controller settings for each vehicle in each class. Fewer parts and economy of scale will lower their production costs. People will pay more because they are saving money on fuel and because the 100% renewable veggie-oil makes them feel good. This will boost the manufacturer’s profits. I suppose economy and efficiency is relative, but it’s a good idea to aim at the largest targets first. (pun intended) Cars, Light Pickups and SUVs consume more petroleum than anything else in America. Why not let the consumer feel good about feeling safe.
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Andy 2:36PM (11/21/2006)
The "small" pickup segment will end by the time Ford builds its next Ranger. The Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon, and Dodge Dakota fall into the "midsize" pickup bracket.
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Beeri 12:55PM (11/22/2006)
This thing will sell in America
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bhtooefr 10:25AM (11/23/2006)
There are only two small pickups in the US now.
The Ford Ranger, and the Subaru Baja.
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prakash 11:39AM (5/30/2007)
i read about exicting features of scorpio i liked it vry much
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John Kirschmann 2:59AM (6/02/2007)
I agree that there just is no choice as far as small pickups are concerned. I drive an 85 Nissan diesel pickup which is perfect for my needs. I use this as a real work truck. There are a lot of these old Japanese trucks in my area in the Okanagan and people seem to love them. There is simply no modern replacement for these vehicles.
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rob 11:26PM (8/16/2007)
To all the "GREEN" people. You can't have your cake and eat it too! I'd love to be able to buy a new small truck or small car with a diesel engine and get 30+ MPG. The US is the only country in the world that doesn't offer small vehicles with diesel engines. In SE Asia you would have a hard time finding a small pickup with a gasoline engine. So why is it you can't get them in the US? 1. Diesel engines cost more to make and most people aren't willing to spend 3K plus as a option that US manufacturers will ask. 2. Diesels last longer which causes people to keep their cars longer and not buy new ones. 3. EPA has tight restrictions that make it difficult to put a diesel in a light vehicle(even if it burns less fuel meaning less pollution per mile). 4. More Americans want a zippy sporty vehicle than want a reliable fuel efficient vehicle.
It's hard to help the economic realities of the American market. However some new legislation in these days would help. How about this: 1.If a car weighs less than 2000lb and get's in excess of 50mpg the safety standards are relaxed. This would allow lots of really small Japanese vehicles in.(they could put warning stickers everywhere, make buyers sign a User notice and they could pay more for insurance. 2. If a vehicle weights more than 4000lb and gets more than 30mpg it gets a break on emmission regulation.(If they make a full size truck that get's more than 30 then give em a break on emissions).
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normanx 7:14AM (10/10/2007)
I have a 1975 Toyota Hilux pickup truck. The 20R engine has never been opened up. It is a bit underpowered... but it is thirty some odd years old. I'm waiting for a hybrid version, or any version of truck that is the same size and weight, but built with the modern fuel economy technology that is available....then I will move on...
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phil prawl 12:44AM (4/15/2008)
I have had 4 small pickups, nissan, 2 mitsubishi, mazda. all were wonderful as second cars, offroad, haulers, etc.
all "small Pickups" now BIG, even honda.
Mahindra has been making "jeeps" since 1944, and small rugged cars.
I am ready small turbodiesel pickup! C'MON MAHINDRA C'MON TATA!!
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lonnie 6:06PM (5/05/2008)
Diesel Electric will be the most effective hybred. The diesel makes its power at a very low RPM. When run it its low RPM range it will power the electric motor with the greatest effective fuel burn to KW output. This technology could help America fill the gap until fuell cell or other high tech technologies can come on line.
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JZ 11:58AM (7/13/2008)
If american companies invested in diesel technology they wouldnt be hurting like they are. I will buy this vehicle as soon as it is available in the US. I currently have an nissan altima hybrid and I love. With a diesel I can easily swith to biodiesel and not support foriegn oil companies. Clean diesel is where its at. Wake up GM, Jeep, Ford
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tom brown 3:02AM (9/03/2008)
I am a 60 year old baby boomer (so they tell me ) I worked at a oil company from 1974 to 1980 and was in line at the gas stations during the seventies. I purchased a 1980 rabbit diesel because i commuted 60 miles out of st. louis to work and wanted a high milage vehicle to save money on gas . The rabbit actually got 50 miles per gallon . this was 1980 almost 29 years ago. I also have talked to people who had the volkswagon rabbitt diesel p/u and i am sure they said they got 50 miles per gallon .So whats the problem ? relax the emission controls for these vehicles and let the american consumer get revenge on the oil companies. and save some money for family and friends and the ever fleeting american dream. P.S I remember when gas was 19 cents a gallon . Its got to be tough to raise kids today.so long friends
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Cindy 8:06AM (6/24/2009)
3 years ago I traded by F-150, I bought a VW Jetta Diesel because I could not get a 'small' truck with a diesel. Love the fuel mileage, miss my truck. This is great, I can have both! Bring it on!!!!!
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