Mahindra Press Release Full of Holes

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd hastily issued a press release on Saturday in response to the Mahindra Planet post from Thursday regarding the possible assembly of Mahindra pickup trucks in a Navistar-owned facility in Alabama.  Interestingly, Mahindra is falsely stating that MP believes that Navistar will be producing Mahindra TR20 and TR40 pickups.  It is MP’s understanding that Mahindra will produce these vehicles (build all components in India) and that Navistar will be the assembly partner and possible distributor for Mahindra vehicles in the USA.  This would be a partnership similar to the one Mahindra established in Brazil in 2008.  Brazilian company, Bramont, assembles and sells Mahindra pickups exclusively for the Brazil market. Mahindra produces the vehicles, Bramont assembles and distributes them. Read this article: Indian Mahindra Starts Production in Brazil

Never mind the fact that Mahindra also purposely accidentally misspelled the names of it’s own pickups as "T20 and T40", or that Navistar will not confirm or deny that they are involved in this project.  Very strange don’t you think?  Here is the Mahindra press release:

MUMBAI, India, December 17, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- "There have been reports in certain quarters of media and online space stating that Navistar USA will produce Mahindra's T20 and T40 pick ups in Alabama, USA in 2012, which are completely baseless & incorrect. If & when there are any material developments, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited will communicate them directly and transparently."

Sources: As hyperlinked

Revealed: US Mahindra Pickups to be Made in Alabama Beginning 2012

Mahindra Genio DC (TR40 US)

2013 Mahindra TR20 and TR40
Mahindra Planet has been working to confirm that a 2-million-square-foot facility in Muscle Shoals, Alabama which was recently leased by Navistar, will begin assembling Mahindra TR20 and TR40 compact diesel pickup trucks beginning in the first half of 2012 and sell them in the United States as 2013 models soon after.

Despite the infamous fallout and between Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (Mahindra) and US importer/distributor, Global Vehicles (GV), Mahindra Planet understands that Mahindra has continued to work with Navistar to locate a suitable assembly location for Mahindra vehicles in the US.  Mahindra Planet was tipped regarding this potential news shortly after Navistar announced that they were signing a 10-year lease for the facility on September 27th.

A US Mahindra Truck Plant
The mile-long facility in Northwestern Alabama (about 70 miles west of Huntsville) will be leased by Navistar (International Trucks) beginning January 1st, 2012.  The 10-year lease was officially signed on October 24th.

A Navistar press release on the announcement does not disclose what product will specifically be produced at the former rail car manufacturing plant.  However, the company intends to make the facility a cornerstone of a planned expansion strategy.  The Alabama Trucking Association references state-filed documents which state that the purpose of the lease is for Navistar to engage in its “business of motor vehicle and related product manufacture and assembly”.

Requests for comment by Navistar, Mahindra, and Global Vehicles have gone unanswered.  However, sources near the project have stated that engineers from India have regularly visited the facility over the last 2 years, and that Navistar plans to assemble a pickup truck with a diesel engine from India there.  Navistar’s press release states that “Navistar intends to finalize its initial operating and product plans for the facility in the coming months, and expects to disclose those details by year end.”

Mahindra Genio SC (TR20 US)

The Navistar-Mahindra Connection
Navistar and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd have a long-standing business relationship which reaches back to 1963 and continues to this day with a shared engineering and manufacturing joint-venture which produces Mahindra-Navistar heavy trucks for the Indian market.

Mahindra has repeatedly been rumored to be searching for an appropriate assembly facility in America since 2008.  Mahindra stated in January of 2011 that despite their dismissal of former import partner, Global Vehicles USA, they were open to partnering with Navistar to find a suitable location for assembling Mahindra Pickups specifically for the US market.

US Manufacturing Justification
Assembling the compact diesel pickups in America from India-made parts allows Mahindra to avoid the 25% Chicken Tax imposed on complete vehicles imported to the United States.  This has been a key part of Mahindra’s strategy to offer their compact diesel pickup trucks at a low price in order to successfully enter the highly competitive US light truck market.  Assembling the TR20 and TR40 in a "right-to-work" state like Alabama also has the potential to keep manufacturing costs low.

Navistar’s involvement, and the location of the new facility close to existing plants will (in Navistar’s own words) allow them to “capture synergies and efficiencies given the close proximity to Navistar’s two engine plants in Huntsville.”

Mahindra and Global Vehicles Await Arbitration Verdict
Global Vehicles and Mahindra & Mahindra are still awaiting an arbitration decision which will determine the fate of their tumultuous relationship and indicate which company will ultimately control import and distribution of Mahindra vehicles in the United States.  Despite the lack of a rendered verdict, it appears that Mahindra is moving forward with US-assembled pickups and will be producing vehicles here no matter the arbitration outcome.

If Global Vehicles retains distribution control, they will continue to service the nearly 350 dealers which they have established franchises with nation-wide.  If Mahindra is granted control of distribution, they may be able to utilize Navistar’s distribution resources, establish their own relationship with the dealers already set up by Global Vehicles, utilize their tractor distribution through Mahindra USA, or a combination of all three.

EPA Certification
WardsAuto reported in September that Mahindra has not submitted a formal application to the Environmental Protection Agency for a 2012 model-year federal emissions certification as they had for the 2011 model-year back in late 2010.  Mahindra still has until the end of 2011 to file for a 2012 model-year certificate.  However, it is more likely that Mahindra will wait until the beginning of 2012 to file for a 2013 model-year certificate for pickups they intend to sell as 2013 models.  The EPA has not returned MP’s request for comment.

NHTSA
WardsAuto also reported that “Mahindra & Mahindra has identified itself to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as a vehicle manufacturer and submitted the necessary information to sell its vehicles in the US”.  Mahindra Planet confirmed with the NHTSA that although no additional paperwork has been filed recently by Mahindra, any manufacturer may begin moving forward with their business plans without approvals or submitting crash test data.

Return of the Scout?
Alabama Govenor, Robert Bentley has stated that the lease agreement with Navistar has the “potential to be one of the largest economic development projects in the United States and will transform northwest Alabama”.

While not necessarily the return of an International-branded light truck like the old International Scout, this move will make Navistar and Mahindra a player in the North American light truck market (remember that Navistar no longer has to abide by a non-compete agreement with Ford).  It could also be a stepping stone for the entry of Mahindra’s recently unveiled XUV500 which was arguably designed purposely for the US market and is experiencing great success in India.

Mahindra XUV500

US Jobs
To take full advantage of state tax incentives used to lure Navistar to the Alabama facility, Navistar must employ at least 1,800 workers by the end of 2015.  Local news reports have stated that Navistar intends to eventually employ 2,200 workers at the facility and fully optimize the manufacturing capabilities of the plant. 

Navistar’s Secret
Despite their promise of creating over 2,000 new US manufacturing jobs and the Alabama govenor’s comments about this being one of the largest economic development projects in the US, Navistar is being curiously tight-lipped about what will actually be made at the facility.  Since the arbitration decision has not yet been made (word is that that a decision may not be made until after the New Year begins), an official announcement on what will be produced there has still not been made.  There is a correlation here.

Mahindra Is Not Dead
Mahindra Planet is convinced that plans are indeed in place to manufacture Mahindra vehicles in the US in 2012.  We believe that American Mahindra fans have something to look forward to in 2012.  Stay tuned as we learn more.

Sources: As hyperlinked
Photos: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

US Dealer Starts Class Action Against GV, Mahindra

Developing story: A dealer signed on as a Mahindra pickup and SUV franchise has filed a federal class action lawsuit against both US based distributor Global Vehicles, and Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd over failure to supply promised vehicles to prospective dealers.

From the complaint:

"Despite promising to import Mahindra vehicles for sale to the public through plaintiffs and members of the class, neither Global nor Mahindra ever imported any vehicles into the United States for distribution through its network of franchise dealers,"

The suit claims that GV and Mahindra have taken USD $60 million from dealers in franchise fees.

More to come on this breaking story...

Source: Courthouse News

Colorado/Canyon Replacement by 2014

GM will be bringing their global small pickup (GMi700) to the US in 2014 according to PickupTrucks.com. Sounds like the global version (built in Thailand) will launch this year, but by early 2014 US versions will be built on American soil.

It sounds like the new pickup will be about the same size as the current Colorado (which is only slightly larger than the S-10/Somona it replaced). However, it will remain body-on-frame and in typical global small pickup fashion, it will have a 1-ton payload capacity and feature diesel engine options (at least internationally).

So, combine that with news of a refreshed Tacoma (Hilux-based?) coming in 2013, and Nissan bringing back a Hardbody/D21-size pickup in the near future… we may have some pretty sweet small pickups heading back to the US. Mahindra still has a shot but they need to get their act together quickly.

Updated 24-Feb-2011: Autoblog reports that the Chevy Cruz will be getting a 147 horsepower, 235 lb-ft, 34 mpg diesel by 2013.  It's probably not a far stretch to imagine that engine used as an option in the upcoming Colorado/Canyon replacement.  http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/21/report-diesel-chevrolet-cruze-confirmed-for-u-s/3

Source: PickupTrucks.com, Autoten.com

Second Generation Scorpio to Launch in March 2011

The Indian auto press and Mahindra Planet have been predicting a 2011 launch for a new Mahindra Scorpio SUV since early this year. A well written article by MoneyControl.com seems to confirm that “an all-new Scorpio (is) set for a March 2011 release”.


Rumors have consistently predicted that the second generation Scorpio will retain a rugged body-on-frame construction like that of the current (first generation) Scorpio. Although it is unclear how Mahindra defines “all-new”, one can assume that at least the quality and safety of the SUV will be improved upon while retaining the current generation of efficient 4-cylinder diesel engines.

While sightings of camouflaged Mahindra W201 “world SUV” test mules have been quite common in recent months, it has been rare to hear of first hand encounters with disguised Scorpio test rigs roaming Indian roads. Back in August, Team-BHP forum member ‘Princey’ did happen upon what was possibly a new Scorpio in testing. Unfortunately no photos have been taken of suspected Scorpio test vehicles.

The current Scorpio shares it’s chassis with the perpetually delayed, US-bound Mahindra TR20 and TR40 pickups. With many US Mahindra followers well aware of a new Scorpio in the works, some have speculated (MP included) that Mahindra was possibly using the current Scorpio-based pickups as test platforms to obtain the required EPA approvals to homologate their mHawk 2.2L diesel engine.

If an all-new platform is just around the corner, it may be possible that Mahindra will not bring the design we currently know as the TR into the United States. Instead, they may feel that their best move is to start fresh with a more evolved pickup built around a proven powertrain.

Disclaimer: Although the MoneyControl.com article refers to the all-new vehicle as a Scorpio, there is no mention of the W201 crossover which is set to launch in 2011 as well. Mahindra is notoriously tightlipped about mentioning details of any future models. There is the possibility that the vehicle mentioned is actually the W201, but Mahindra Planet suspects that is not the case. Time will tell.

Source: MoneyControl.com, IndianAutosBlog.com, Team-BHP.com, and as hyperlinked

Updated: Mahindra Press Release on Motion to Dismiss GV Lawsuit

Another Update (6:46 PM EST)
Mahindra is demanding that Global Vehicles stops using the Mahindra name in it's marketing materials and on it's website and "avoid falsely suggesting an affiliation between Mahindra and Global Vehicles".  For the full story: GlobalAtlanta.com


Keeps getting more interesting by the minute...

MahindraTruckForum.com member, Mikeo, located the original press release regarding Mahindra’s bid to get the Global Vehicles lawsuit dismissed in US District Court as reported earlier today.

The release states that Mahindra opposes the legitimacy of the GV lawsuit on grounds that the contract between Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and Global Vehicles expired automatically on June 11, 2010. Mahindra also states that negotiations to extend the contract were conducted but did not result in an extension.

We’ll wait for Global Vehicle’s response to this latest Mahindra communication. The soap opera continues.

Source: IndiaPRWire via Mikeo

Global Vehicles v. Mahindra News Forthcoming?

There are indications this morning that a Mahindra will publish a press release regarding actions taken to have the lawsuit brought against them by US importer, Global Vehicles USA, dismissed.

The following teaser was found on the web this morning however it appears that the actual press release it is linked to was published, then retracted by Mahindra:

Mahindra Completes Briefing on Motion to Dismiss the Groundless Lawsuit Filed ...
PRLog (Press Release) – Sep 07, 2010 – Mumbai 3 September 2010: On 28 June 2010, Mahindra & Mahindra (Mahindra) filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit that ...

The lawsuit initiated by Global Vehicles over Mahindra’s failure to deliver US-bound compact diesel pickup trucks after multiple delays has subsequently been dismissed by Mahindra officials in various interviews.

Mahindra has also threatened that the lawsuit could possibly cause further delays in the arrival of the anticipated vehicles, and Mahindra has previously used a press release in an attempt to terminate their exclusive contract with Global Vehicles.

We’ll keep following this story as it unfolds. Stay tuned.

Mahindra SUV and Pickup Sales Increase 14%

Mumbai, India based, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, has released its August sales report indicating that full range domestic auto sales have increased 29% and sales of it’s SUVs and pickups have increased 14% over August 2009 figures.

The Indian utility vehicle maker, who is expected to sell low-priced, 30 mpg, diesel compact pickup trucks in the United States beginning in December of 2010, has been experiencing significant growth in 2010 despite parts shortages which have hampered full growth potential.

The anticipated US market Mahindra TR20 and TR40 pickup trucks are set to launch this December, and an SUV variant (Mahindra Scorpio) is rumored to launch sometime in 2011. US emissions certifications for the pickups were obtained in August and the Scorpio SUV has recently been seen testing in the southern United States. However, Mahindra is currently battling a lawsuit brought on by their US import partner, Global Vehicles USA, and Mahindra has not publicly indicated whether or not Indian production of the US bound vehicles has even begun.

Source: Mahindra

Breaking: 2011 Mahindra Pickups Get EPA Certification!

PickupTrucks.com and The Wall Street Journal are reporting that Mahindra has finally completed requirements to obtain EPA certification for their 2011 model TR20 and TR40 pickups in the United States.  This is great news for all of those eagerly awaiting the all-diesel compact pickups which are slated for sale at the end of 2010.

Stay tuned.

Sources: As Hyperlinked

India Parts Shortages Continue: Does Mahindra Launch Hang in the Balance?

“At least for the next three to four months, the problems won’t get resolved.” – Pawan Goenka, President of Automotive and Tractor Operations, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (referring to widespread parts supply shortages in the Indian auto industry).


The doubling of per capita income in India over the last eight years has resulted in ever increasing demand for new cars. 2010 has witnessed a 30% increase in demand for new vehicles, with companies like Suzuki and VW resorting to waiting lists for prospective customers. Suzuki is claiming that they have a backlog equivalent to 15-20% of monthly sales volume.

At the dawn of the global economic meltdown, many Indian OEM suppliers conservatively curbed their growth in fear of reduced demand for parts. Combine the unprecedented increase in consumer demand with the overly cautious manufacturing approach that suppliers took in 2009, and the result is serious challenge for manufacturers unable to provide every customer with one of their vehicles.

Mahindra has operated under capacity since the end of 2009 when they began seeing vehicle demand increase, and realized that suppliers weren’t keeping up. In June alone, Mahindra saw an 8-10% loss of production due to parts shortages.

Mahindra still has at least a three to four month scramble ahead of them just to satisfy their own domestic demand for new SUV’s and pickups. It is unclear how this will affect the expected December launch of US compact diesel pickups (the TR20 and TR40).

If Mahindra were to begin diverting Indian (and other markets) parts and production to US market vehicles in order to meet their proclaimed December due date, they could potentially lose domestic sales to competitors by doing so. Mahindra may have to make a tough decision about which market is more important to them and which one they are willing to make sacrifices for; the thriving Indian market, or the unknown (but prestigious) US market.

Sources: LiveMint (WSJ), Bloomberg, Mahindra Planet, & Mahindra Planet

US Version of Mahindra-Reva NXR Electric Car Spied; 2011 Launch Likely

Our friends at Indian Autos Blog recently posted photos showing a left-hand drive version of Mahindra’s all-electric Reva NXR seen testing in India. The NXR shown could likely be a US market test mule.

Reva Electric Car Company, recently acquired by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (and renamed Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle Company), has been working with US-based Bannon Automotive to establish manufacturing and sales of the NXR and other Reva models on US soil in the very near future.

Indian Autos Blog also reports that the highway speed capable Reva NXR (replacing the current Reva City model in India) will be available to Indian customers in the fourth quarter of 2011. Previous reports have suggested that the all-electric NXR model could be available in other markets (including the US) much sooner than that.

“A lot of work is going on at the moment and the launch of the new Reva NXR and NXG should be by Q4 of 2011.” – Pawan Goenka, Chairman, Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle Company

A former plastics factory in Lysander, New York (Syracuse area) has been selected as the site to assemble complete knock down (CKD) kits of Reva car models. Each CKD will include all components necessary to build a complete car. CKD kits will be shipped from India to the Central New York operation, which will fully assemble and deliver completed cars to dealers around the country.

Although there have been no recent reports on the status of the Lysander manufacturing facility, Bannon Automotive has been working with politicians at the state and federal levels to obtain all necessary funding to break ground. It is anticipated that work on the facility will begin this fall, with manufacturing to commence sometime in 2011.

Source: India Autos Blog (click hyperlinks for specific articles), Syracuse.com
Photos: IndiaAutosBlog.com, RevaCars.com

Loose Grasp Of Reality?: Mahindra Marketing VP Says Trucks in US By End of Year

The Hindu Business Line published an (undated) interview with Vivek Nayer, Senior Vice President of Marketing (Automotive) Mahindra & Mahindra, this morning.

When questioned on what products will be sold in the US and what the strategy was, Nayer comes off as having lots of confidence, but with little clue about the US market and Mahindra’s launch here.

“The US launch will be by the end of the year. Initially, it will be the Scorpio pick-up which is called the Mahindra pick-up there. Later, the SUV (sports utility vehicle). Compared to the fuel guzzlers available there, ours is not one. Besides, ours is a medium SUV compared with their big SUVs. Secondly, we have the advantage of a diesel product. Diesel is catching on because diesel technology has progressed a lot. The torque is better in a diesel vehicle. So, depending on the application, we are pretty sure that we will create our own niche out there.” – Vivek Nayer, Senior Vice President of Marketing (Automotive) Mahindra & Mahindra

Curiously, Nayer tells the interviewer that the pickup will be called Mahindra Pick-Up in the US, not TR20 and TR40 as many Americans have become familiar with. This also corresponds with Mahindra’s failure to formally register the trademark names Mahindra TR20 and Mahindra TR40 with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Apparently Nayer is also unaware that several other well-established manufacturers do compete in the mid-size pickup and SUV categories in the United States. He seems to believe that the only vehicles in the market are fuel guzzling, big SUVs. Mahindra’s VP of Marketing may be in for a wake up call when the vehicles eventually launch here.

Note again that this is an undated interview from this Indian source. For the entire interview, click here: We are sure we will create our own niche in the US: Mahindra

Global Vehicles Responds to Mahindra’s Further Delay Comments

Global Vehicles USA, exclusive US importer for Mahindra vehicles, has issued a press release this afternoon regarding comments made by Mahindra & Mahindra president, automotive sector, Pawan Goenka regarding further launch delays of the India-built pickups.


The press release reads:
“ALPHARETTA, GA., July 8, 2010-It has been recently reported in the media Mahindra is claiming its pending litigation with Global Vehicles may delay the introduction of its vehicles to the United States market. This claim is both inaccurate and unfortunate. Indeed, in the litigation Global Vehicles seeks to compel Mahindra to honor its contractual obligations to obtain homologation of the vehicles and to begin shipping them pursuant to existing and long standing orders placed by Global Vehicles on behalf of its many dealers. Global Vehicles was constrained to take legal action as a result of Mahindra’s unjustifiable delay in making its vehicles available and to otherwise protect Global Vehicles’ dealers who have waited long enough for product. Global Vehicles and its dealers stand ready, willing and able to immediately begin selling Mahindra vehicles in the United States. All Mahindra needs to do is complete homologation and start delivering them. Thus any delay in entering the United States market rests exclusively with Mahindra and can in no way be attributable to the litigation or any actions of Global Vehicles.”

Global Vehicle’s statement lobs the ball back into Mahindra’s court. MP will continue to follow each volley.

Source: Global Vehicles

Mahindra Files For Dismissal of Global Vehicles Lawsuit

According to GlobalAtlanta.com, Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra Limited has countered a lawsuit filed against them by US-based vehicle importer, Global Vehicles USA, Inc. On June 28th, Mahindra filed a request for dismissal of the lawsuit.


Georgia based Global Vehicles (GV) is the exclusive importer for a yet-to-be launched line of India-made Mahindra pickup trucks. On June 14th, GV filed a lawsuit in US district court against Mahindra for USD $35 million, claiming that Mahindra has repeatedly and purposely delayed the release of their US line of 30 mpg, diesel-powered pickup trucks.

Since news of GV’s lawsuit first broke, Mahindra & Mahindra’s vice chairman and managing director, Anand Mahindra, has publicly stated that the grounds of the lawsuit are baseless. It appears that this request for dismissal backs up those statements.

Mahindra is claiming that the dispute should be resolved in arbitration, not in a US federal court. Mahindra calls into question the jurisdiction of any US court over the Indian company’s agreement with GV. The filing also claims that Mahindra has not been properly served by Global Vehicles who has submitted paperwork to a US Mahindra subsidiary, and not directly to Mahindra in India.

Despite legal posturing by both parties, it appears that Mahindra still has not obtained EPA certifications for the US-bound pickups, nor have they formally registered trademark protection for the Mahindra TR20 and Mahindra TR40 names. The request for dismissal of the lawsuit does not address accusations of purposeful delivery delays claimed by GV, but does suggest that Mahindra would prefer to negotiate with Global Vehicles behind closed doors instead of in the public realm.

Stay tuned.

Source: GlobalAtlanta

Mahindra Looking to Partner with Lotus

While it is unclear what type of partnership Mahindra seeks with high performance sports car manufacturer, Lotus Cars, it is clear that they have been open to a relationship with Lotus’ Malaysian parent company, Proton, since their manufacturing joint venture with Renault cars evaporated earlier this year.

Proton is apparently eager to create a joint venture with a company established in India to build and distribute their vehicles for the Indian market. It is rumored that Mahindra is interested in the electric and hybrid technology expertise of Lotus Engineering.

Keep in mind that Lotus currently supplies nearly half of the content of the Tesla Roadster. A joint venture with Proton could provide valuable resources in the design of lightweight chassis and suspension systems for future Mahindra Reva electric car projects and potentially develop additional electric technology improvements for Reva cars and Mahindra SUV’s.

Lotus has previously assisted Mahindra in developing improved high speed stability characteristics of the current Mahindra Scorpio SUV.

Source: Money Control

Official: Mahindra Has Now Pissed Off Everyone in the USA

PickupTrucks.com broke news yesterday (via GlobalAtlanta.com) that US-based vehicle importer, Global Vehicles, USA, has filed a lawsuit against Indian SUV manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra Limited.

 

Global Vehicles USA, Inc is the Alpharetta, Georgia based company designated as the official importer for India-built Mahindra diesel pickup trucks which have been expected for sale in the United States since 2009. The lawsuit is over Mahindra’s delays in readying the vehicles for sale on US soil.

 

Repeated delays, nonexistent advertising, delayed action on key milestones, and near total lack of communication from the USD $6 billion Indian conglomerate has created considerable tension between Mahindra and their US importer. Much of the stress has seemingly intensified in the past year.

 

Global Vehicles has reportedly spent almost USD $35 million dollars preparing for the launch after establishing well over 300 dealers across the country. Considering that each dealer had to fork over around USD $200,000 for the privilege of becoming a Mahindra franchise, then had to commit to building a Mahindra-specific facility at each location; it is easy to understand how Mahindra has built their US enterprise on a foundation of frustration.

 

The dedicated American fan-base who have been patiently waiting for Mahindra’s mid-size, 30-mpg diesel pickups, have been riding the relentless seas of anticipation and disappointment. The last rogue wave to rock the hardcore Mahindra fan boat was the announcement by Mahindra in May stating that US-bound Mahindra TR20 and TR40 pickups would not be available until December 2010.

 

Even MahindraPlanet.com’s own hack editor has personally felt the mighty Mahindra wingtip painfully displace his dangly bits in recent weeks.

 

Several scenarios may be construed at this point:

• GV is feeling serious pressure (from their bankers and dealers) to do whatever they can to force Mahindra to deliver vehicles ASAP. A lawsuit could be a motivator.
• Mahindra is purposely dragging their feet because they are truly not prepared to launch vehicles in the US for some reason.
• Mahindra is dragging their feet because they want to get away from GV and establish their own in-house distribution of Mahindra vehicles in the US.
• Mahindra is dragging their feet because they want to boot GV and go with another US-based importer.
• Mahindra has gotten cold feet and are going to scrap their US plans altogether.

 

 Some things just aren’t adding up either:

•  Mahindra has still not filed emissions certification paperwork with the EPA
• Mahindra has still not completed the needed formal use requirements to register US trademarks for    “Mahindra TR20” and “Mahindra TR40”. Mahindra applied for the trademarks nearly a year and a half ago, but have not followed through with registration.
• Mahindra has not made any effort to directly promote or advertise Mahindra vehicles in the United States, despite hiring two internationally known advertising agencies to do so.
• Mahindra has allegedly built 175 US-spec, pre-production TR pickups in India, but apparently none have been sent here for evaluation or testing.

 Is it going to happen? Has Mahindra burned too many bridges before even delivering a product? If/when the trucks get here will Mahindra bust out some sweet Jedi mind tricks and get everyone forget about the current drama and delays?

 

We’ll let the reader ponder these points. While this all gets sorted out, Mahindra Planet will be driving around in our exclusive Mahindra TR40 Unicorn Edition pickup… and wearing a cup.

 

Source: PickupTrucks.com

Mahindra Buys Majority Stake in Reva Electric Car

As Mahindra Planet reported in April, Mahindra has been rumored to be in negotiations with Indian/American electric vehicle manufacturer, Reva Electric Car Co. Ltd., to take over majority stake in the company. Reports this morning confirm that Mahindra now owns 55.2% of Reva. The new company will be renamed Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle Co.


Reva, through its US importer Bannon Automotive, has been working for the past several months to establish an electric car manufacturing site in the Syracuse, New York area. Plans for the Central New York manufacturing facility have been steadily moving forward since recently acquiring federal, state, and local grants for the project.

Mahindra plans to initially invest USD $9.5 million into the new Reva venture.

"Our association with Reva will only help us further expand our green footprint both in India and overseas." Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman, Managing Director, Mahindra Group (@AnandMahindra on Twitter)

Mahindra & Mahindra wants to be seen as a global leader in green automotive technology. Mahindra will be introducing the first Indian made pickup trucks (the Mahindra TR20 and TR40) to the United States in December of this year. The Mahindra pickups will only be available with clean diesel engines and are anticipated to attain 30mpg while prices start at USD $22,000.

The first Mahindra pickups sold in the US will be entirely manufactured in India. However, Mahindra has been actively looking for a suitable US facility to assemble pickups and other vehicles in order to avoid the 25% “chicken tax” imposed on foreign made vehicles imported to the United States.

The Mahindra Reva facility in Central New York could provide Mahindra with some positive insight into the manufacturing prowess, technology community, and skilled workforce that the Syracuse area offers. Maybe Mahindra will even consider building clean technology pickups and SUVs in CNY as well.

Source: AP via Syracuse.com

Photos of New Mahindra Unibody SUV Leaked

IndiaCarsBikes has published a concept rendering and photos of a disguised SUV thought to be the new ‘world platform’ SUV mentioned previously on Mahindra Planet.


Details of the new vehicle are pretty much conjecture at the moment. IndiaCarsBikes speculates that the 2.2 CRDe diesel engine which the US-bound Mahindra TR20 and TR40 pickups will receive could be an option.

The other engine option could be a Mercedes-Benz designed 5-cylinder, 2.7 liter, diesel from the Ssangyong Rexton SUV. This speculation has some substance since other news today confirms that Mahindra is indeed bidding for the failing Korean automaker (also see the MP post on the Ssangyong Actyon Sports pickup).

The ‘premium’ SUV platform (currently known as W201) is slated as a step up from the Scorpio SUV which is currently being redesigned and will launch in the US in 2011. The W201 is known to be a global platform which is likely to be brought stateside sometime after the Scorpio-based, body-on-frame platforms launch here.

The concept rendering and disguised photos seem to promise a pleasingly styled, modern and more car-like SUV. Likely to be primarily front wheel drive (transversely mounted engine) with an all wheel drive option.

Time will tell us more about this new SUV and if Mahindra successfully bids for Ssangyong Motor. In the mean time, we have another six months before we see the TR20 and TR40 diesel pickups. That should give us plenty of time to speculate on Mahindra’s future plans.


Source: As Hyperlinked

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

Xylo Wins Awards, D2 and Panel Versions Launched

Awards
Mahindra has won three Indian automotive media awards with their multi-purpose/multi-utility vehicle, the Xylo. Xylo was introduced in January of 2009 as a 7-passenger people mover and has quickly become a very successful vehicle for Mahindra in India.

A new version of the recently crowned MUV of the Year, UV of the Year, and MPV of the Year has recently been introduced, the Xylo D2:

Xylo D2
The Xylo D2 comes with the new 2.5 liter mDI CRDe engine which combines direct injection with Mahindra’s common rail diesel engine technology. The D2 version obtains 30mpg with its BS III (Bharat Stage III) compliant engine. The 4-cylinder diesel has 95bhp and 159lb-ft of torque. The D2 engine is 17bhp less than the previous 2.5 liter m-Eagle CRDe engine (non-direct injection), but showcases Mahindra’s latest engine technology and their focus on meeting more stringent emission requirements. This engine would still be a couple of steps away from US EPA requirements (BS III is equivalent to Euro III), but it is interesting nonetheless.

We mention the Xylo here since that platform will likely be the basis for the Mahindra MUC that is teased on the Mahindra North America website. The MUC appears to be an integrated body/cab pickup which could fit somewhere between a Chevy Avalanche and a Honda Ridgeline.

The new mDI engine seems to be a variation (i.e. head configured for direct injection) of the m-Eagle engine architecture which the Xylo was initially launched with. This could also be a look into the development of future (more powerful?) DI diesels from Mahindra for the US and other markets.

Xylo Panel Van
With 30mpg, a large carrying capacity, and low emissions, the Xylo panel van could also be a potential export vehicle for the US. The D2 might be the perfect delivery or transport vehicle for a business that requires a fuel efficient diesel powered van, but needs something bigger than a Ford Transit Connect, yet smaller and cheaper than a Sprinter Van.

Sources: As Hyperlinked