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]

We got a close-up look at Mahindra and Mahindra's Scorpio hybrid SUV at the SAE Congress in April. If you're interested in the company and just why and how an Indian hybrid jumped off of the sketchpad and is now poised to enter the U.S. market in 2010, spend some time over at BusinessWorld. Designed by a young rookie engineer back in 1996, the SUV helped rebrand Mahindra and Mahindra into a company that wants to be a major automaker. Automotive News' Lindsay Chappell said bringing the four-cylinder diesel vehicles to the U.S. is a gamble, but there is a "growing curiosity here about small-displacement diesels. There are none here.'' We'll see the first results of how that gamble play out when the non-hybrid conventional 2.2L turbodiesel Scorpio precedes the hybrid in 2009. BusinessWorld says that M&M "expects the Scorpio's fuel-efficient and low-emission engine to win over customers who feel guilty about driving gas-guzzling automobiles, yet want the size and performance of an SUV." Does the Scorpio appeal to you?


[Source: BusinessWorld]

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]

Indian car-maker Mahindra & Mahindra had previously announced plans to enter the U.S. market in 2009 with its Scorpio SUV and Appalachian pickup truck with diesel power. Our pal Mike over at PickupTruck.com has been in contact with John Perez, CEO of Global Vehicles USA, the importer who will be bringing in Mahindra's products. It turns out the company is planning to move beyond just diesel. In 2010, Mahindra plans to offer a hybrid system mated with the diesel. If they do make it to market by 2010, Mahindra will likely be the first production diesel hybrid in a light duty application. So far the only diesel hybrids on American Roads are the big transit buses now running many cities.

Global Vehicles spokesman John Reinan told ABG that they didn't have any details yet on the nature of the hybrid system that appear on the Indian trucks. They had only received word the day before from the manufacturer that the hybrid version would appear one year after the standard diesel version. For what it's worth, the Senior VP of Product Development at Mahindra is Dr. Arun Jaura. Prior to joining Mahindra a couple of years ago, Dr. Jaura worked at Ford where he was the Head of Vehicle Engineering for Ford's Escape Hybrid Platform, so he is quite familiar with hybrid technology. According Reinan, the target base price for the 2- and 4-door pickup trucks is in the low-twenties with the SUV starting in the mid-twenties. The hybrid is expected to have a price premium of no more than $5,000 (before tax credits). The U.S.-version of Mahindra's new mHawk 2.2L four cylinder engine should produce around 145-150hp with 300lb-ft of torque which should be more than adequate for the mid-size trucks. The engine was developed with help from Bosch and powertrain engineering specialists AVL.

[Sources: PickupTruck.com and Global Vehicles USA]

Here's a news story so short there's no need to digest it. All we can do is put it in a bit more context. Reuters is reporting that India's Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. will start selling hybrid SUVs in the U.S. When? Don't know. What kind, exactly? No clue. All we know is that Mahindra & Mahindra managing director said earlier today that, "Given the growing opposition to SUVs in the United States, we have a plan to market hybrid SUVs." OK then.

As we've mentioned before, Mahindra has talked about selling vehicles in the States for a few years now. Before today's announcement, the Indian automaker's main plans included new two- and four-door pickups (pictured). Mahindra has also previously said they'll sell the Scorpio SUV in the U.S. starting next year. We'll keep our browsers peeled for more information.

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: Reuters]

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]

India's major automakers, Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland and Eicher Motors, have put aside their rivalry and come together in a project to create an optimal mix of hydrogen and compressed natural gas (CNG). If successful, the fuel mix - referred to as Hithane - will reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency and work in existing vehicles.

Seven different types of vehicles are being provided by the participants for testing as part of the project which is being undertaken in conjunction with the Indian ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Hithane blends ranging from 10 - 30 percent will be tested in the vehicles which include light commercials, three-wheeler autorickshaws, an SUV and a passenger car.

(story continues after the jump)

Students at the Delhi College of Engineering in India are creating prototypes for what they hope could be production hybrid vehicles within 3-5 years. The vehicles are expected to cost significantly less than hybrid vehicles currently in production.

Transmitting the power to the wheels is a new system developed by the students, using belts and pulleys, instead of the torque coupler used by manufacturers such as Toyota. This system is said to save a great deal of money. The students also use lead acid batteries, saving additional money over the high-cost batteries currently is use.

Mahindra and Mahindra, an automotive giant based in India, has funded the project. In other news, students at the Indian Institute of Technology have completed work on a hybrid bus, seating 100 people. The government has taken up interest in the project, and is said to be in talks with the University to convert a number of existing buses from diesel to hybrid drive.

Related:

• Tata considering entry into China

[Source: Hindustan Times]