Anand Mahindra is adamant that the first diesel trucks in America bearing his name be as good as possible. While this is good news for buyers hoping to get a good deal on a 30 mpg work-vehicle, the delay it has caused isn't. Mr. Mahindra says that his trucks will travel some 3.2 million miles in the U.S. before going on sale. For our part, we are glad that the company will work out all the possible kinks before sending the trucks Stateside. There are reportedly over three-hundred dealerships which have already signed on to sell the trucks, though the vast majority have not yet completed their projects. Global Vehicles, the Georgia-based company in charge of the importation, hopes to have four-hundred-fifty total signed on before the end of next year.

JD Power and Associates was also hired by the Indian firm to check out its new truck. Apparently, nearly two-hundred changes were recommended by the company - all of which were carried out. That's mighty impressive and it also bodes well for a quality product. While the powertrain is still awaiting EPA certification, Mahindra got plenty of help from established companies and is confident that there won't be any problems on that front. Keep your fingers crossed for these and the hybrids.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Above: Mahindra's Appalachian pickup truck

Right now, the Reva G-Wiz has the Indian electric car market cornered. Rumors indicate that this may not be the case for long, though, as both Tata Motors and now Mahindra - India's two largest automakers - both have plans in place for zero-emission vehicles of their own. While we've heard about Tata's plans for both electrically-driven and air-propelled Nano microcars, this is the first we've heard of an EV from Mahindra, the company which has been making news with its plans to introduce new diesel and hybrid trucks and SUVs into the American market.

Mahindra's new EV would come with four seats, making it eminently more practical than the Reva. According to reports, the automaker would first launch the vehicle in its home market of India, which would act as a test-bed for the technology, before exporting to other countries. Would the U.S. be one of them? Time will tell, and consumer opinion over Mahindra's upcoming trucks and 'utes will likely play a big role in finding an answer.

[Source: CarTradeIndia.com]

Considering how slow change tends to come in the compact truck market, perhaps the domestic automakers should feel a mild quaking in their collective boots over the impending arrival of Mahindra's new diesel-powered pickup. We can at least be sure that one of the Big 3 are wondering just how good the new Indian vehicle will be, enough to bring one over here for testing. Unfortunately, we don't have any driving impressions to share, but those should be coming soon enough. What we do know, though, is that the upcoming product will not be known as the Appalachian, which is what we've all been referring to it as until now. According to PickupTrucks.com, Mahindra is very well aware that its name is unknown in the U.S. market, so it feels the need to highlight that moniker as opposed to a model name.

The aforementioned 2.2 liter diesel engine powering Mahindra's truck was developed with assistance from Bosch and AVL. We expect about 150 horsepower, though the 300 lb. ft. of torque is the much more important figure. Paired with a standard six speed automatic transmission, the new kid on the block is looking mighty interesting.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

click to enlarge

One nice thing about cars destined for expo floors is the fancy paint they sometimes get. The Mahinrda & Mahindra Scorpio hybrid SUV has been given such a treatment, as we discovered at the SAE World Congress in Detroit today. We'll be sitting down with Mahindra later this week to learn more about the introduction of this full parallel hybrid that uses a 30kW electric motor and a 2.3kWh nickel metal hydride battery and should be on sale in the U.S. in 2010. For now, here's what the SUV looks like. Whaddya think?

Our good friends at Diesel Forecast have learned that the anticipted Mahindra & Mahindra diesel-hybrid truck will be on display at the SAE World Congress next month in Detroit. The Indian company's light-duty Appalachian pickup truck and Scorpio SUV should be available for sale in the U.S. by 2010 with either a diesel 2.2L four cylinder engine or diesel-hybrid options. Mahindra's Dr. Arun Jaura, who used to work for Ford on the Escape Hybrid, will also speak about the truck at the SAE event. We expect the truck to be sold in two- and four-door versions, starting in the low $20,000s (hybrids = $5,000 more). For more details, check out Diesel Forecast.

[Source: Diesel Forecast]

We've been awaiting the impending release of Mahindra vehicles in the States for a few years now, and it seems that 2009 might be the year. The small pickup race might heat back up when the Indian automaker unleashes their new two- and four-door pickups. The highlight of the spec-sheet might be the 4-cylinder diesel engine making an expected 180 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. This engine should be mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. This combination could deliver fuel mileage in the high 30s when driven on the highway. The trucks should start in the 20s when they reach dealers lots, and will include a 60,000 mile warranty.

Related:

• Mahindra hopes to offer diesel small trucks, SUVs and sedans in U.S. in '08
• Mahindra Scorpio may offer diesel-electric hybrid when sold in U.S.

[Source: Global Vehicles USA]

I have heard rumblings that Mahindra & Mahindra, a large Indian automaker which already sells tractors in the States, hopes to enter the American market in 2008. When I read this article from TTAC, it really got me thinking about the possibilities. With Americans getting used to start-up automakers like Tesla entering the alternative vehicle market, they might be willing to accept a company like Mahindra which already has a respected, established product line for sale in the U.S. as a reliable option. If as many dealers pop up as alluded to in that same article, and in the right markets, I could really see a small diesel powered utility truck selling very well. If our readers are any indication, the market is certainly ready for diesels to spring forth. If it were cheap, like around 20K reasonably equipped, using that vehicle as the family stuff-hauler would allow more people to accept a smaller, fuel efficient commuter as their second car, or even a scooter as a second vehicle. Don't laugh, check out the sales of scooters since Hurricane Katrina for proof that many are willing to do just that.

If you have any comments to add about Mahindra, please share them. I have heard a few people mention their tractors, and have only heard positive stories from them. I have never heard anything first-hand about their cars or trucks, though. Do you agree that the market is ready for a small, diesel powered truck?

Related:

• Mahindra Scorpio may offer diesel-electric hybrid when sold in U.S.

[Source: The Truth About Cars]