US-Spec Mahindra Pickup Spotted?

Could this be a pre-production/early production, US-spec Mahindra TR40 photographed on Indian roads?


MahindraTruckForum.com member, Pee Wee, found this link and submitted it to the forum this morning. From the photo, it appears that this could very likely be a US-spec pickup. Key indicators are the blatant “Left Hand Drive” lettering on the tailgate, lack of bed-mounted tie down cleats, lack of model name designation, step bumper (with sufficient room for a range of license plate sizes), and a high-mount third brake light (not unique to the US, but reinforces the likelihood that this is an export vehicle).

Are we another step closer to getting US trucks?

Sources: MahindraTruckForum.com (Thanks Pee Wee!), IndianCarsBikes.in

Korean Pickups, EPA, and Mahindra

Ooh la la… SsangYong

Many web news outlets are publishing word that Mahindra & Mahindra will be bidding to take over failing South Korean automaker, SsangYong Motor. Why do we care? Not only does SsangYong have a super catchy name, but the bulk of their lineup is SUV’s.

Most interesting of the lot is SsangYong’s Actyon Sports A200S and A230S pickup trucks (in the photos above and below). Both share a common body-on-frame platform with 2WD and part time 4WD options. The A200S has a 2.0 liter direct injection diesel available with automatic or manual transmissions. The A230S is a 2.3 liter gasoline powered pickup available only with a manual transmission. While both models clearly aren’t as heavy duty as the Mahindra TR20 and TR40 (sub-1000 pound load capacity), they could be an interesting complement to Mahindra’s current pickup options. We’ll have to wait until August before we know who actually wins the bid for SsangYong Motor.

EPA

As reported by Automotive News and PickupTrucks.com, Mahindra has accumulated the required mileage on their fleet of US test pickups to finally submit for EPA approval. Mahindra plans to submit its request for approval this week and we expect the official EPA okay sometime next month.

As mentioned in both articles and previously in this blog, the relationship between US Mahindra importer, Global Vehicles, and India-based, Mahindra & Mahindra, appears to be slightly strained. GV has learned from past mistakes about predicting actual US launch dates and will no longer commit to naming a timeline. Anticipation for the (expected) mid-$20,000, diesel-powered pickups is extremely high. It’s possible that the trucks could reach US shores by early August of this year. Hopefully, Mahindra will release an actual date in the near future.

Sources: Carazoo, SsangYong Motor, Automotive News, PickupTrucks.com

Australian Ad Campaign Offers Chance to Win 1 of 100 Mahindra Pickups

Mahindra Australia begins a large scale promotional advertising campaign for the Mahindra Pik-Up (US TR20/TR40) tomorrow. According to AdNews.com, the new campaign will cover television, online, print, and social media outlets.


This leaves US Mahindra fans asking: Hey Mahindra, send us some trucks and give us a chance to win ‘em too!
Source: AdNews.com

Mahindra Still on Track for 2010 US Launch with High Expectations

Although little word has been coming out of India or Alpharetta, Georgia lately, the Mahindra TR20 and TR40 pickups still do appear to be headed to America in 2010. The consistent tone among principals on either side of the globe is that 2010 is THE year for Mahindra’s mid-size diesel pickups.

MP has caught bits of information from various sources both reputable (Mahindra Truck Forum, PickupTrucks.com) and not so reputable (WU, you are indeed the National Enquirer of automotive blogs). When in 2010? Well, that’s anyone’s guess, but it certainly does seem that 2010 is the year. Even MP’s ranting diatribe on the merits of waiting to launch in 2011 don’t appear to be holding Mahindra back this year.

The latest golden nugget of semi-information is found on India’s, The Hindu Business Line this morning:

“We are entering the US this year which is the world's largest market for sport-utility vehicles pickups. It is going to change M&M's international business volumes and take the brand to a different level in the SUV and pickup space.” Pravin Shah, Chief Executive, International Operations, Mahindra & Mahindra

The article goes on to explain Mahindra’s plans for global expansion with the US market being one of the key components. Currently, Mahindra’s export vehicle sales volume (outside of India) accounts for around 7% of their total vehicle sales. By entering the US and expanding other markets they believe they can reach 20% export volume in 2012.

The entire article is here: Mahindra Bets Big on US

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”