New Mahindra Trucks

[Farmerboy]

I was on the Mahindra USA site the other day checking out the new 35 series and noticed the advertisement for the line of diesel trucks Mahindra plans to bring to market later in 2009.

I currently own a little 5-speed Ranger (2-wheel) drive and can honestly say its been the best vehicle I've ever owned. The only complaint I have is its ability to haul. In many instances, I've had to split a load and make several trips. Up until 2 days ago, I swore up and down that as long as Ford was making 2-wheel drive Rangers, I'd always buy another....that was until I took a look at the new Mahindra trucks - 1.25 Ton hauling ability - 7.5 foot bed... Needless to say, I signed up to be notified of any upcoming events for the new line of trucks.

I have been completely happy with my 3215TLB and would seriously consider purchasing the 2-door version of the truck. I just hope they consider a manual transmission.

I was wondering if anyone else had any thoughts or considerations about the new line of vehicles.

 

[ToadHill]

I first saw this advertised about a year and a half ago. Import was to be in late 07 then changed to early 08, then to late 08 and now sometime in 09. I had a real interest but I don't know if I can wait until they finally decide they are really going to import them. I'm not getting any younger, I may not be able to drive by the time they actually get here.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

I've been looking at them since I first saw their teasers about 2 years back - I'm very interested as well. early rumor had it their 4x4 diesel truck was supposed to get close to 30 mpg - which beats my gas Dakota hands down, even with the current price difference between gas & diesel!

 

[dgl24087]

I read a month or so ago that they were struggling to meet US emissions regs.

 

[NEFirewood]

I was on the Mahindra USA site the other day checking out the new 35 series and noticed the advertisement for the line of diesel trucks Mahindra plans to bring to market later in 2009.

I was wondering if anyone else had any thoughts or considerations about the new line of vehicles.

I signed up for the Mahindra tryout event in 2009. I am debating buying a small truck next year and thought I would give this a whirl. There's only a couple of things that bother me:

This isn't a tractor, it's for the road, and parts and availability of parts are going to matter. Mahindra's tractors are for the most part based on tried and true tractor platforms. In short buying a Mahindra tractor is an all win, no lose scenario. But a vehicle with a handful of dealerships and very very limited parts? I don't know about this.

The other thing is reviews outside the US. In Australia the truck is called the Pik Up. There are numerous writeups on these trucks online in Europe and Australia, and it's not very flattering. One group took the truck offroad and parts literally fell off the truck while driving.

I know that they consulted US automotive analysts about thier introduction plan. I am willing to give them a whirl, if only for the fact that I am a very happy Mahindra owner right now. If I bought a Mahindra it would be probably because of the diesel and it could be my beater truck. This to means that it's going to have to last and stand up to abuse, including abuse from my Mahindra tractor.

Mahindra seems to have the magic gift of finding best of breed from all over the world and combining them to make thier products. In the end I am optimistic yet a little cautious at the same time.

 

[Outlander]

I was on the Mahindra USA site the other day checking out the new 35 series and noticed the advertisement for the line of diesel trucks Mahindra plans to bring to market later in 2009.

I currently own a little 5-speed Ranger (2-wheel) drive and can honestly say its been the best vehicle I've ever owned. The only complaint I have is its ability to haul. In many instances, I've had to split a load and make several trips. Up until 2 days ago, I swore up and down that as long as Ford was making 2-wheel drive Rangers, I'd always buy another....that was until I took a look at the new Mahindra trucks - 1.25 Ton hauling ability - 7.5 foot bed... Needless to say, I signed up to be notified of any upcoming events for the new line of trucks.

I have been completely happy with my 3215TLB and would seriously consider purchasing the 2-door version of the truck. I just hope they consider a manual transmission.

I was wondering if anyone else had any thoughts or considerations about the new line of vehicles.

Don't forget your 3215 is a Mitsubishi not a Mahindra.

 

[LBrown59]

I signed up for the Mahindra tryout event in 2009. I am debating buying a small truck next year and thought I would give this a whirl. There's only a couple of things that bother me:

This isn't a tractor, it's for the road, and parts and availability of parts are going to matter. Mahindra's tractors are for the most part based on tried and true tractor platforms. In short buying a Mahindra tractor is an all win, no lose scenario. But a vehicle with a handful of dealerships and very very limited parts? I don't know about this.

The other thing is reviews outside the US. In Australia the truck is called the Pik Up. There are numerous writeups on these trucks online in Europe and Australia, and it's not very flattering. One group took the truck offroad and parts literally fell off the truck while driving.

I know that they consulted US automotive analysts about thier introduction plan. I am willing to give them a whirl, if only for the fact that I am a very happy Mahindra owner right now. If I bought a Mahindra it would be probably because of the diesel and it could be my beater truck. This to means that it's going to have to last and stand up to abuse, including abuse from my Mahindra tractor.

Mahindra seems to have the magic gift of finding best of breed from all over the world and combining them to make thier products. In the end I am optimistic yet a little cautious at the same time.

Wonder if they are enought truck to pull a trailer with your tractor on it ?

 

[farmboy12]

Mahindra


Kyle

 

[JDPN]

They are supposedly going to be made into kits that are final assembled somewhere in the US (Ga rings a bell) to avoid the chicken tax on pickups.

 

[gyrogeerloose]

I went to the Mahindra site, noticed that they manufacture their tractors here in the U.S. as well. Three different factories, even.

Signed up for their "preview" test drive program. I doubt that I'd buy any truck that hasn't been around long enough to judge it's reliability (and I can't really afford a new vehicle right now anyway) but I'm curious about them none the less. I've got a commercial drivers license, have driven big rigs all over the U.S. and would really like my next personal vehicle to have a diesel engine in it.

 

[milkman]

I went to the site and even the two door model looks like will be loaded with nonsense that I wouldn't want or need on a truck, mp3, esc, electric windows, bet they don't make the home residents buy all that. Would like to have a basic diesel P/u but doesn't look like they'll offer that.

 

[thatguy]

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

 

[flusher]

Mahindra


Kyle

Interesting. But I'd like a lot more info on that diesel engine before I'd pull the trigger.

 

[MDM]

I went to the Mahindra site, noticed that they manufacture their tractors here in the U.S. as well. Three different factories, even.

This is news to me. I was under the impression that Mahindra did not manufacture any of there own compacts sold in the US - TYM/Korea and Mitsubishi/Japan make all of Mahindras compacts. Plus the one made in China. I thought the AG tractors were made in India. Maybe they put the wheels on them here when they arrive?

 

[Scooby074]

I went to the site and even the two door model looks like will be loaded with nonsense that I wouldn't want or need on a truck, mp3, esc, electric windows, bet they don't make the home residents buy all that. Would like to have a basic diesel P/u but doesn't look like they'll offer that.

I was under the impression that you were going to be able to get a stripped down version (basically a diesel engine and rubber floor mats) but it looks like thats not going to be offered. I was looking for a basic, stripped down diesel without all the "accessories" like power windows ant the like. I think Mahindra is missing out on a fair number of sales by not offering a traditional work truck. If they load it up with options, thats going to negate any price advantage they may have had, on top of potentially decreasing their reliability.

As far as the styling, i like it. It has a bit of Land Rover in it. And the tie downs around the bed remind me of a old Toyota! Overall its not too bad.

 

[DavesTractor]

This is news to me. I was under the impression that Mahindra did not manufacture any of there own compacts sold in the US - TYM/Korea and Mitsubishi/Japan make all of Mahindras compacts. Plus the one made in China. I thought the AG tractors were made in India. Maybe they put the wheels on them here when they arrive?

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.

 

[gyrogeerloose]

I think I could come to love the looks..

Yeah, I sort of like the way it looks. "Purposeful" is what I'd call it, much like one of those weird Swiss 4x4 things some people around these parts drive.

 

[farmboy12]

I think it really fits more with a mini-truck used for farm use only.


Kyle

 

[AchingBack]

I think it really fits more with a mini-truck used for farm use only.


Kyle

With a payload of over 2,500 lbs., it over double the capacity of a mini-truck. My 1979 Ford Courier has a 7 ft. bed, and a one ton payload. The Mahindra has a 7.5 ft. bed. As of now, it is on my wish list. Six speed automatic diesel, sounds great, can't wait.

 

[AchingBack]

Interesting. But I'd like a lot more info on that diesel engine before I'd pull the trigger.

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.