New Mahindra Trucks

[redneckford]

Final assembly of the tractors occurs in the USA, but they aren't built here. For shipping purposes, they are crated, double stacked and sent to one of the three plants. The tires and rims are mostly USA sourced, the loaders and backhoes are built in the USA, and final assembly occurs in Calhoun Georgia, Houston Texas, or Red Bluff California. In my opinion, that does not make them USA built. I think most brands do it this way. We can get 24 of the 2415 HST models in a 40 foot container by doing this. Then KMW can fit 34 ML105 loaders in a truck, etc. Much more freight efficient this way.

As for the trucks, I expect they are adding features because that is where the profit lies. A loaded model probably doesn't cost that much more to build than a basic one, but they can charge more. I'd like to see a bare bones model, just power-steering and brakes, AC, and a manual transmission and the option of 4wd or 2wd. They would get quite a following I think with this sort of truck.

Will they let the tractor dealers sell the trucks or will they piggy back on auto dealers????? Or will they have a stand alone truck dealership????

 

[ToadHill]

I asked the local Mahindra dealer about that. He said they were going after local auto dealers and won't let the tractor distributors sell the trucks.

 

[DavesTractor]

Will they let the tractor dealers sell the trucks or will they piggy back on auto dealers????? Or will they have a stand alone truck dealership????

It will be totally independent of the tractors, so I don't think we will be seeing any tractor/truck dealers.

 

[jinman]

From the layout of the feature callouts on the website, it seems the transmission is front wheel drive in 2wd configuration. Anyone know for sure?

 

[redneckford]

Won't someone make money and sales by making a mini truck street/road legal in the US($5000 to $8000)----looks like a huge market but with very little gross profit per vechile---kind of like compact tractors alot of sales very little profit----I wonder if Mahindra understands that car dealers (in the US)have alot more overhead than rural aiming tractor dealers that have learned to survive on low overhead and low profit---a very different business model than most high volume car dealers----miss guided dreams or destine to failure!!!----just look at the big 3 and what high fuel cost did to them in one year!!! Now with low fuel they are selling those big trucks and SUVs again----just not on credit!

 

[CTW]

The trucks remind me of the first Isuzu Troopers from the 1980's with the tall roof lines.. But I think I could come to love the looks..

Brian

I'm seeing a mitsubishi/jeep liberty cross for the cab and a Ford Courier/Chevy Luv cross for the bed. I had an old isuzu p'up, I think an 82', that was a great ranch truck.

 

[California]

I wish they would send over this one. I think it is called Mahindra Marshall and is diesel powered.

I posted photos of several Mahindra jeep models in this old thread.


I had an early Trooper (88, the first year with FI) and I loved it. I would like to see Mahindra import a similar inexpensive, basic vehicle.

 

[gyrogeerloose]

I just looked the photos on the Mahindra truck site and saw something I really like about the thing--it comes from the factory with tie-down hooks installed! I don't know how many times I've cussed out some newer pickup truck when I tried to tie down a load without them.

Yeah, I know--I could install some aftermarket tie-downs but I've yet to find one that I really liked.

 

[Farmerboy]

flusher, here is the scoop on the engine. I have a 1979 Ford Courier pickup. I'd love to have this engine in it.
PickupTruck.com - Mahindra Promises Diesel Hybrid Pickup by 2010
The diesel-only truck will use a slightly modified version of Mahindra's recently introduced 'mHawk' 2.2-liter inline four cylinder diesel engine, that debuted in India in the Scorpio SUV.

Mr. Perez estimates the U.S. version of the mHawk will have power ratings in the range of 145-horsepower to 150-horsepower and approximately 300 pound-feet of torque, though the numbers haven't been finalized. The mHawk was designed in cooperation with diesel engineering firms Bosch and AVL specifically with the American pickup market in mind.

The American mHawk will be paired with a standard six-speed automatic transmission, a floor mounted console shifter, and steering wheel mounted paddles to manually shift the gearbox.

"I'm really happy about this diesel," says Mr. Perez. "This is a market that nobody is going to be in for at least three of four years. We're going to be able to give small businesses a truck that can get 30 to 35 miles-per-gallon, and with a diesel engine that's durable. It's a $40,000 truck that we're going to sell in the mid-$20,000s. This is not Chinese junk."

And it will be able to haul too. Mahindra promises the truck will be able to carry a very sizeable 1.3-ton (2,600-lb) payload in its 7.5-foot cargo box. By comparison, the 2008 Toyota Tacoma has a max payload rating of 1,685-lbs and the 2008 Dodge Dakota has a max payload of 1,720-lbs.

The trucks will come with a 60,000-mile, four year bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Mid $20's is a turn off for me. Without having ANY experience with a Mahindra truck, I would be more inclinded to spend $14K on another stripped down Ranger than spend $25K for something that is brand new to market. I think Mahindra is going to have to give serious consideration to the term "loss leader" in order to get market exposure and attention. I just think that $25K requires a significant leap of faith for the average American consumer given the current market circumstances. These trucks aren't going to be marketed to the "Soccer Mom", the "Trendsetter" or the "Keeping Up With The Jones" consumer. Rather, they're going to be marketed to average guys who want to do alot with little, while minimizing their overall cash outlay. Long story short, when confronted with $25K for a new Mahindra truck or $25K for a 1 year old Chevy Avalanche LT with 20K miles, I'm buying the Avalanche - every time.

Keep in mind, these things will be manufactured overseas with lower labor rates and lower overheads at a time when currency exchange rates are down and the raw materials markets have crashed. Fair market price in my mind, at this time, is less than $18K. Finally, if Mahindra is going to market this thing like a Land Rover, Mahindra will alienate the key consumer - average guys.

 

[actionaj]

I don't think I would be first in line for one. I would wait a few years and see if they are any good. I would like to have a 1/2ton diesel pickup I don't know why they don't make them any more.

 

[Cyclone Jake]

I wish they would send over this one. I think it is called Mahindra Marshall and is diesel powered.

I'm waiting for this one to be imported!

Single cylinder diesel with handlebar steering. Could probably classify it as a motorcycle.

 

[Scooby074]

I'm waiting for this one to be imported!


Single cylinder diesel with handlebar steering. Could probably classify it as a motorcycle.

I like that! Its a mahindra too isnt it? I think there was a company importing those TIk TIk? (3 wheeled indian taxi things) into the US reciently but i think they stopped.

Heres what i want. India's answer to the Merc G-wagon. No way i could ever afford a Gwagon but i might be able to pay for this.
...::: Welcome to Force Motors : Products Section :::...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3734004363281948019 Interesting Video. Interesting vehicle. Interesting dialogue

 

[AchingBack]

I like that! Its a mahindra too isnt it? I think there was a company importing those TIk TIk? (3 wheeled indian taxi things) into the US reciently but i think they stopped.

Heres what i want. India's answer to the Merc G-wagon. No way i could ever afford a Gwagon but i might be able to pay for this.
...::: Welcome to Force Motors : Products Section :::...

Trax Gurkha & Tempo 290 GTD Interesting Video. Interesting vehicle. Interesting dialogue

I love the way the driver's head looks as though it is going to snap off and fly out of the window.

 

[rback33]

Farmerboy,

While I don't agree with you assessment, parts are valid, some are not... The labor and overhead rates in India are very similar to the ones we have in the United States. This is a common misconception over here. I am not sure I would be the first in line to buy one even though I personally know the man running the company. I would certainly take one of these over an Avalanche though. To me, the Avalanche is one of the most useless vehicles ever made. It's like the kid that WANTS to be a football player but never realizes he is destined to be the water boy.

 

[arrow]

Farmerboy,

While I don't agree with you assessment, parts are valid, some are not... The labor and overhead rates in India are very similar to the ones we have in the United States. This is a common misconception over here. I am not sure I would be the first in line to buy one even though I personally know the man running the company. I would certainly take one of these over an Avalanche though. To me, the Avalanche is one of the most useless vehicles ever made. It's like the kid that WANTS to be a football player but never realizes he is destined to be the water boy.

I sold Dodge trucks for 20 years. I worked our local auto show this past weekend. Here's what's wrong with the big 3. On stage was a brand new Dodge Hemi 4 dr. p.u. with the Laramie package. It was priced at $43000. About 10-12 years ago, a fully decked out Laramie was $27000. Dakota's can get into the mid 30's easily now. They may put on $3000 worth of rebates and 0% but whoop de doo, the article is still over priced. There was a Suburban for $61000. ( of which you could get $10000 off the price) With the 12 year cancer of prolific credit, these prices were actually made to look feasible. Heck , you can pay for just about anything with enough time and put outlandish things in moving vehicles to help jack up prices as well as making them bigger and bigger. I'd advise to keep buying that 14-15 K Ranger. Maybe they can pop in a diesel eventually and get it under 20 k. As long as they put price tags on stuff that outstrip the average Joe's wages, ( and the average joe is potentially the largest buying segment) they'll never get out of the fix they're in now. Will the big 3 ever wake up? or will we about what credit really is since the Avalanche was one of GM's best sellers.

 

[arrow]

Farmerboy,

While I don't agree with you assessment, parts are valid, some are not... The labor and overhead rates in India are very similar to the ones we have in the United States. This is a common misconception over here. I am not sure I would be the first in line to buy one even though I personally know the man running the company. I would certainly take one of these over an Avalanche though. To me, the Avalanche is one of the most useless vehicles ever made. It's like the kid that WANTS to be a football player but never realizes he is destined to be the water boy.

I sold Dodge trucks for 20 years. I worked our local auto show this past weekend. Here's what's wrong with the big 3. On stage was a brand new Dodge Hemi 4 dr. p.u. with the Laramie package. It was priced at $43000. About 10 years ago, a fully decked out Laramie was 27000. Dakota's can get into the mid 30's easily now. The may put on $3000 worth of rebates and 0% but whoop de doo, the article is still over priced. There was a Suburban for $61000. ( of which you could get $10000 off the price) With the 12 year cancer of prolific credit, these prices were actually made to look feasible. Heck , you can pay for just about anything with enough time and put outlandish things in moving vehicles to help jack up prices. I'd advise to keep buying that 14-15 K Ranger. Maybe they can pop in a diesel eventually and get it under 20 k. As long as they put price tags on stuff that outstrip the average Joe's wages, we'll never get out of the fix we're in now. Will the big 3 ever wake up?

 

[Dargo]

I'd heard about this coming for almost 2 years now. I haven't bothered to look into it much because it seems to be one of those things you keep hearing about but never see. You know, like the "Chery" Chinese autos that were supposed to be sold here in the 1st quarter of 2008. Anyway, don't forget that Mahindra & Mahindra was who made most of the revered Willy's Jeeps. That is why they are allowed to use the similar grill as a Jeep; they invented that look. Granted, the Willy's Jeeps were built to U.S. specs, but Mahindra & Mahindra had some ability to add their own touch; such as the grill. The original U.S. design was for more of a screen type of grill that would catch more debris. Mahindra & Mahindra argued that the little engines in those Jeeps would overheat at slow speeds (most of their driving) without a pretty open grill design.

I'm not going to sign up and buy one of their first offerings. Based on history, they will have their growing pains here (think Toyota and Honda - that way you won't think I'm slamming the Mahindra pickup) and will have to make significant changes to meet the American wants and needs. I think it will be great to pick one up that is a couple years old and has already lost 60% to 70% of it's original selling price. Again, no knock on their product, just a deduction based on the history of all other manufacturers coming to America.

 

[Farmerboy]

Farmerboy,

While I don't agree with you assessment, parts are valid, some are not... The labor and overhead rates in India are very similar to the ones we have in the United States. This is a common misconception over here. I am not sure I would be the first in line to buy one even though I personally know the man running the company. I would certainly take one of these over an Avalanche though. To me, the Avalanche is one of the most useless vehicles ever made. It's like the kid that WANTS to be a football player but never realizes he is destined to be the water boy.

Not sure about the misconception. I'm in the business of building nuclear power plants all over the globe. A fully burdened engineer in the U.S. goes between $90 and $135 an hour. The same guy in China goes about $40. Which, up until the recent explosion of China's middle class, was at about $25 an hour (or less). Same parallels can be made with Indian labor. For sure, there's no way the hourly labor rates in India are even close to a UAW member in Detroit. Setting aside the argument over cost of goods sold, and ignoring functionality, the larger point here has to do with trade offs. The very existence of "Tradeoffs" is what drives the discipline of marketing. For example, a 12ounce Coke and Pepsi cost the exact same amount from a vending machine. So how do marketers get us to choose one product over the other - simple, they convince us that there are tradeoffs. Some are real (i.e. taste, caloric count etc.) others are not so tangible (social status, appeals to personal ego, etc.). The same principles apply to marketing vehicles. If I've got $25K in my pocket, what do I buy? Given all the tradeoffs presented by the market today (largely due in part to depressed nature of the auto industry), I think rational consumers will have a hard time choosing the new line of Mahindra vehicles and will turn towards something else.

 

[Redneck in training]

Several years ago while flying to India I talked to an executive from Cummins engines. He said that typical Indian factory employs about four times as many workers than similar factory in England. While everything else being equal. They produce engines in India not because it is cheaper but because it is huge market for diesel generators.

 

[Renze]

He said that typical Indian factory employs about four times as many workers than similar factory in England. While everything else being equal. They produce engines in India not because it is cheaper but because it is huge market for diesel generators.

The company i work for, is lurking to even further outsource production abroad too... I am against it, because it gives a lot of communication and transport hassle, and wont help much, the workers abroad gets payd half of what a worker gets here, but the productivity is a lot lower too, for a variety of reasons.