Often Delayed Mahindra Trucks Due In December
Once, twice, perhaps three times or more small pickup trucks from India’s Mahindra & Mahindra company have been promised for the U.S. market. As far back as 2006 we have been hearing that these vehicles were going to be imported by Global Vehicles U.S.A., Inc., but delays beginning in 2008 changed those plans time and again.
EPA Certification
The latest hold up involved the all-important certification from the Environmental Protection Agency. Without the EPA’s approval, Mahindra’s plans would be delayed indefinitely.
On Friday, Global Vehicles issued a statement following the announcement by Mahindra that the Indian automaker had won approval from the EPA. Global Vehicles noted that despite its ongoing litigation with Mahindra, they expect to make available the first trucks to U.S. consumers before the year comes to a close.
Pending Litigation
Global Vehicles is the exclusive distributor for Mahindra trucks, but they sued Mahindra over the delays as well as to ensure that they remain the exclusive distributor according to the July 27, 2010, issue of The Wall Street Journal. That suit was also designed to protect its 300 U.S. distributors who have invested a significant amount of capital in readying their showrooms.
The Indian trucks will compete against the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Suzuki Equator, Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Unlike the other models, the Mahindra trucks are powered by diesel engines, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engines paired with six-speed automatic transmissions. Available in two- and four-wheel drive, the Mahindra TR20 and Mahindra TR40 should get about 30 mpg on the highway, easily the most fuel efficient trucks in its class.
Additional Models
Expect Mahindra and Global Vehicles to settle their differences and begin working on expanding Mahindra’s U.S. product lines soon after the trucks go on sale. A compact SUV, based on the platform underpinning the trucks, is expected to follow in early 2011 with an undetermined model dubbed MUC expected to be introduced in 2012.
With the introduction of the Mahindra trucks, the automaker becomes the first Indian car manufacturer to sell its vehicles in the United States. Auto Trends will provide additional information about the trucks closer to the distribution date.
Resources
The Wall Street Journal: Mahindra Sets U.S. Pickup Sales
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