Foreshadowing the US Scorpio SUV

Great article today from our friends at Indian Autos Blog: Mahindra Scorpio Automatic Transmission Launched in Egypt

Egypt-market Scorpios are built in Egypt by Bavarian Auto Group. Note that the specifications on the new automatic version read like US-market TR specs. Including the 2.2 Liter m-Hawk engine, airbags, and ABS. This is certainly close to the specifications the US will be getting in late 2010.

An interesting note: Scorpios are available with a gasoline engine option in Egypt.

Source: IndianAutosBlog

PickupTrucks.com Report: Small Pickup Trucks Suck in Crash Tests

PickupTrucks.com posted a report by Larry Edsall late yesterday regarding IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) crash ratings for US-market, compact to mid-size pickups. The IIHS conclusions are… painful.

Only the Nissan Frontier (Suzuki Equator) received a ‘Good’ rating for rollover crash, roof crush safety and performed better overall than all of the trucks tested. Yet it was still not a top pick. The virtually antique Ford Ranger was second best of the bunch and the Dodge Dakota’s side-curtain air bags failed to deploy in the side impact test. The Toyota Tacoma barely bettered the bottom finishing GM Colorado/Canyon twins. In general they all sucked.

We are expecting that Mahindra has done their homework on crash safety and will ensure that the TR20/TR40 pickups arriving in April will at least outperform the worst of this bunch. Australian crash tests from several years ago weren’t so positive, but the trucks have been updated for the US market and (we assume) have received NHTSA approval since then.

The full PickupTrucks.com article with details on each truck can be found here: Small Pickup Trucks Lag in IIHS Crash and Roof Crush Tests
A link to the ANCAP crash safety assessment of the TR40 can be found here: Mahindra TR40 Crash Test Video

USA Mahindra Dealer Directory

Eventually, Mahindra will release the names of Mahindra dealers in the USA. Until then, the list below will be updated with the known dealers who have either informed us directly that they are a Mahindra franchise, can be linked to Mahindra through news articles, or indicate Mahindra affiliation through their dealer website or advertising.

If you are a dealer who wishes to be added to this list (or have your information updated), or have a tip about a dealer in your area, please contact MahindraPlanet: Christian.Winfield@MahindraPlanet.com

Click on the dealer name to go to their website or source of news. Also check out http://www.mahindraplanet.com/, http://www.mahindratruckblog.com/, and http://www.mahindratruckforum.com/ for other dealer news.

Alabama
Montgomery – Jim Burk Automotive Group
Birmingham – Serra Automotive Group

Arkansas
Little Rock – Mahindra of Little Rock

Colorado
Denver (Greater) – Tynan’s Isuzu

Florida
Sarasota – Mahindra Southpointe
Deland/Orlando – Kaiser Pontiac

Georgia
Augusta – Gerald Jones Dealer Group
Morrow – Allan Vigil Ford-Lincoln-Mercury (likely to be removed)

Idaho
Boise – Dillon Auto Park

Illinois
Matteson – Hawkinson Nissan

Indiana
Greenwood (Indianapolis) – Ray Skillman Performance Ford
West Harrison – Mahindra of Southeastern Indiana
Zionsville – Pearson Ford

Maryland
Frederick – FSK Automotive

Massachusetts
Acton – Acton Lincoln-Mercury

Michigan
Detroit – Mt. Clemens Auto Center
Detroit – Lochmoor Automotive
Lansing – Paradise Motors
Westland – North Brothers Ford

Minnesota
Buffalo - Ryan Automotive
Hermantown (Minneapolis/St Paul) – Miller Hill Subaru

Missouri
Columbia – Dodge City Motors
Raytown (Kansas City) – Dick Smith Auto Group

Mississippi
Hattiesburg – Smith Motor Company

New Jersey
Egg Harbor Township (Atlantic City area) – Chapman Ford
Woodbridge – Mauro Motors

New York
Greece (Rochester) – Fuccillo Hyundai of Rochester (could also be Syracuse)
Depew (Buffalo) – Joe Basil
Ithaca - Maguire Automotive Group

North Carolina
Durham – Mahindra of the Triangle
Wilmington/Jacksonville - MahindraNC

Ohio
Ashland – Aber’s Truck Center
Toledo – Taylor Auto

Pennsylvania
Kutztown - Haldeman Ford-Lincoln-Mercury-Mahindra

South Carolina
North Charleston – Marathon

Tennessee
Crossville – Tennessee Outdoors

Texas
Dallas-Ft. Worth – DFW Mahindra
Houston – Helfman River Oaks Chrysler
Orange – Automart/Granger Chevrolet
Tyler - Crown Motor Company

Virginia
Chesapeake – Cavalier Auto Group
Harrisonburg – Mahindra of Harrisonburg
Norfolk – Cavalier Auto Group
Portsmouth – Cavalier Auto Group
Suffolk – Beach Ford
Springfield (DC area) - Mike Pallone Chevrolet
Virginia Beach – Cavalier Auto Group

Ashland, Ohio Mahindra Dealer Added to Directory

We have added Aber’s Truck Center in Ashland, Ohio to the MahindraPlanet.com Dealer Directory. Aber’s Truck Center’s Amanda Kaser tells us:

“Aber's acquired the (Mahindra) franchise in the fall of 2009 and are anxiously awaiting the Mahindra product! We are a GMC wind down dealer who has been in business since the 1950's. We are family owned and operated and also have International medium-duty and Volvo heavy-duty franchises.”

MP welcomes Aber’s to the list!

New Dealer Directory Link!
We’ve been working on an updated (and expanded) post dedicated to US dealer listings. A dedicated Dealer Directory link is now on the upper right side column. The Dealer Directory page will be updated as we find more dealers.