Mahindra & Mahindra & America

[The_Blur]

Next spring, Mahindra and Mahindra's Indian cars will invade America; however, their dealers are lazy and haven't opened shop yet. Even worse, they are only going to sell trucks and SUVs to start off. Expect Mahindra and Mahindra to go under in America. Article is by Leftlane. Discuss.

[bouncertime]

You know, a small pick-up with a 4 cyl. diesel engine might actually work. Maybe if they catch on the big three will take notes. I don't know why they don't make a small turbo diesel for the Colorado.

[selil]

Mahindra was licensed to produce the CJ5/7 Jeep and I believe still builds them with a diesel motor. Supposedly it gets around 30 mpg and will do highway speed all day long. There had been an Atlanta dealer gray market importing them into the United States.

[The_Blur]

They're going up against well-established support for domestic truck brands. American truck loyalists will always stick to the Big 3. Those who don't really want a truck tend to buy smaller cars when gas is high, so this is a terrible time to expand a truck company.

[selil]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

They're going up against well-established support for domestic truck brands. American truck loyalists will always stick to the Big 3. Those who don't really want a truck tend to buy smaller cars when gas is high, so this is a terrible time to expand a truck company.

A year ago I would have agreed with you.. Look at what I drive

Funny thing is the 4 cylinder 2-wheel drive Toyota and Nissan (25 & 28 mpg) trucks from the mid to late 90s used prices have been going up. While the F150 is shrinking in sales, and my local dealer can sell GMC/Chevy work trucks but up scale trucks are sitting for months.

A truck that gets the kind of MPG a Corolla or Cobalt gets might sell quite well.

[theholycow]

Originally Posted by The Article

many of Mahindra’s U.S. franchisees have yet to build a Mahindra showroom or dealership.

Why would they build showrooms and dealerships that will be unused for nearly a year?

I've read about Mahindra's planned products and I don't think average consumers will want to buy them any more than they're buying Sprinters. They should sell well to businesses that need no-bullshit trucks that can get work done. They are physically a little on the small side, I think more like a compact pickup; they have small diesel engines that make a decent amount of power; and they have HUGE load and tow capacities for such a small truck.

Truck sales are plummeting because people who don't need huge behemoth trucks don't want to pay for that much gas. Mahindra's line ought to beat that problem and may compete rather well. Time will tell.

They did have an American company design and build the interior so that we would be comfortable in them.

[Rallysport]

Just what the US economy needs...more imported crap.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Rallysport

Just what the US economy needs...more imported crap.

Saw a nice commercial yesterday, during one part it said:
"Out of a job, yet? Keep buying Foreign."



Anyways, I think that GM is investing a little more into the Colorado; they've put the 5.3L into it for MY2009, and if they're wise they'll slap that new turbodeisel into it as well. Heck, those trucks are almost as big as the Silverado's were not 2 years ago...I think before long, truck buyers will be looking more into the 'small' trucks

[Jak]

Personally, I don't freaking care if they're priced cheaper then dirt, I'm buying AMERICAN. I don't really care if the American car/ Truck/ whatever costs more, I will never buy an import.

[chadrcr]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Anyways, I think that GM is investing a little more into the Colorado; they've put the 5.3L into it for MY2009, and if they're wise they'll slap that new turbodeisel into it as well. Heck, those trucks are almost as big as the Silverado's were not 2 years ago...I think before long, truck buyers will be looking more into the 'small' trucks

I am thinking of getting a 5.3 Colorado to replace my 5.3 Sierra and S-10. The only thing standing in the way is the Camaro. and a lack of $30,000 extra $$$ I need a buy one get one free sale.....

[chadrcr]

I do know some farmers back in Texas that would like to have a small cargo capable vehicle that can get good mpg, to drive when they do not NEED to tow etc...

It would be nice if GM would produce something like that...1990 nissan p/u except better like a tiny Silverado...

[Rallysport]

Originally Posted by Jak

Personally, I don't freaking care if they're priced cheaper then dirt, I'm buying AMERICAN. I don't really care if the American car/ Truck/ whatever costs more, I will never buy an import.

+1

[theholycow]

Originally Posted by chadrcr

It would be nice if GM would produce something like that...1990 nissan p/u except better like a tiny Silverado...

You mean an S10, like they had before they went to the Colorado trying to compete with the mid-size Dakota? I think the problem with compact pickups is that they just weren't selling enough, and were selling base models instead of optioned-up models -- because people saw them as cheap practical transportation for light work, something a lot of people need. Are Ford, Toyota, and Nissan the only ones left in that segment (I don't count SUV-pickup hybrids on car platforms like the Honda Ridgeline, which is probably rather expensive).

Too bad these mid-size trucks offer none of the advantages and all of the disadvantages of the full-size. Mileage isn't better, power sucks (though I read that the Canyon is getting the 5.3), and they have capacity more like a compact pickup. Oh, and purchase price can't be better than a base Silverado.

Disclaimer: Most of this was NOT first-hand data, mostly just what I've gathered while reading about these trucks from others' posts here and on a GM truck forum. Therefore, you can pretty much treat it like I merely pulled it out of myass.

[JaysonAych]

Originally Posted by Rallysport

Just what the US economy needs...more imported crap.

Yeah, I want a purely American car built in America, like the Camar...uh...crud.

Well, at least it's styling was penned by someone born in Americ...uh crud again.