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

Breaking: US Mahindra Pickups to Arrive in December!

From WSJ a few minutes ago:

“Pawan Goenka, president of Mahindra's auto and farm-equipment operations, said in an interview that the new truck model has been road-tested according to U.S. government requirements and that the company expects to gain certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency no later than July. Production would begin in India in early fall and the truck would arrive in U.S. showrooms by December, Mr. Goenka said.

The truck doesn't yet have a name, but is likely to be called TR20 and TR40, depending on the model. "Since we're new, we want to emphasize that the truck is just Mahindra," Mr. Goenka said. The company has built 175 prototypes in India and tested 30 in the U.S.”

The article goes on to say that 175 US TR prototypes have been built, and discusses a timeline for the SUV (2011) and a gas-electric hybrid option (2013)

Follow the link to the WSJ article: HERE

Recycling, Mahindra’s EPA Submission, and a StrawberryFrog

Mahindra Pickup News for 07-May-2010


Recycling
Without much news to report on from Mahindra & Mahindra or their US-based importer, Global Vehicles, some serious news recycling went down in the automotive cyberspace yesterday.

Autoblog Green added their two cents to the Mahindra EPA submission story that Automotive News broke over a week ago. We think some internet motor journalists had a few too many Corona’s for Cinco de Mayo. But the hardcore Mahindra fan will still want to check out the story. The Autoblog Green article is here. The Automotive News article is here. The PickupTrucks.com article is here. The Mahindra Planet article (with news of Mahindra’s SsangYong bid) is here.

Insider: “Government Has Nothing to Review”
Ward’s Autoworld did have a bit of insight yesterday. They quoted an unnamed Global Vehicles insider that told them Mahindra has still not submitted required paperwork to the EPA for approval. With an estimated 90 day timeframe for approval and arrival of the first US-bound TR20 and TR40 pickups, it will certainly be August before they are available. However, rumors heard on MahindraTruckForum.com call for a fall launch with a low-key promotion effort, and an 18-truck, cross-country caravan to promote the brand. Thanks Moulin6801!

StrawberryFrog?
Way, way back (in early February 2008) Global Vehicles announced that they had brought on internationally recognized ad agency StrawberryFrog to launch the advertising effort for Mahindra in the USA. At the time, StrawberryFrog had just missed out on landing the US account for Hyundai and were hungry for a US automotive account. At the time, a grass-roots advertising campaign was to be launched that would include mostly internet-based ad work and strategic print advertising. None of which materialized. Or maybe the advertising was so slick and clandestine that we just haven’t noticed…

Fast forward to yesterday and PRNewswire reports that Mahindra & Mahindra has globally hired StrawberryFrog to “develop a global Cultural Movement brand strategy”. We interpret that as unifying the Mahindra brand and making it globally recognizable. Much like General Electric is universally recognized whether or not you know that they make trains and jet engines in addition to light bulbs and home appliances.

"StrawberryFrog is helping us develop a Cultural Movement strategy, innovative global brand and digital strategy, as well as activation. We are impressed with StrawberryFrog's global track record in innovation, and excellence in strategy, technology, business, and creativity. They have demonstrated for us strategic and creative ingenuity and we are very satisfied with our collaboration." - Anand Mahindra, Vice-Chairman, Managing Director, Mahindra Group

So sayeth the man whose name is the brand. Will this mean that we will be seeing Mahindra truck advertising in the US soon? We certainly hope so!

Sources: As hyperlinked, and thanks to Moulin6801 for the tips and the image!