Mahindra: Exporting Pickups to US by Mid-2010

Update: I have been made aware that the Wheels Unplugged article referenced in this post may contain altered quotes on US arrival times from PN Shah. I have removed this quote. The rest of the article recycles previous quotes and information.  Nothing new here.  I apologize to my readers.

Wheels Unplugged reports this morning:

“We are fully ready with the product (customized for the US market) and even the US manufacturing facility (in India). We are waiting for some regulatory approvals to launch the Scorpio in the US in this quarter” – Pawan Goenka, president, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra

Iowa-based dealer, D&D Mahindra, confirmed Tuesday on Mahindra Truck Forum that they were told that Mahindra’s US test fleet (25 pickups) have not completed enough test miles to meet the EPA data requirements. The vehicles currently in testing have on average, 70,000 miles, and require 100,000 miles on the clocks before final data may be submitted and approval given.

Wheels Unplugged also reaffirms this morning that Mahindra has no immediate plans to assemble TR20 and TR40 pickups in the United States. Previous reports have also been clear that Mahindra will test the US-market waters before committing to US assembly, but they have been looking for suitable facilities.

Random Mahindra News: 05-APR-2010

Power Lunch
CEO’s Anand Mahindra (Mahindra & Mahindra) and Ratan Tata (Tata Group) will meet with US Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner in Mumbai this Wednesday. Job growth and creation in the US and India are slated for the agenda.

Source and more: Business Standard

Upswing
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd reported last week that domestic utility vehicle sales jumped 4.71 percent in March. Sales of Scorpio, Bolero, Xylo, and Getaway pickups stood at 20, 914 units.

Source and more: Trading Markets

Electric
Mahindra & Mahindra is rumored to be in negotiations with Indian/American electric car maker, Reva, to either buy majority interest in the company or partner with them. Reva has been working with US importer, Bannon Auto, to assemble Reva’s electric cars in Syracuse, New York. Reva will also provide the powertrain for Chevrolet’s Spark electric car.
Source and more: Economic Times

Photos:
Top – Mahindra Bolero via Vicky.in
Middle – REVA NXG via CarBodyDesign.com
Bottom – Photoshopped Chevy Spark via Cargurus.com

Ford Continues Ranger with Improvements: Mahindra Beware!

PickupTrucks.com reports this morning that Ford plans to continue production of the Ranger compact pickup. Could undisclosed options to include a diesel engine?

Read the ENTIRE article here: Ford to Continue US Ranger Production “Indefinitely”