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

Study Reveals Americans Open To Cars From China, India

The first Indian passenger vehicles are about to arrive in the US as Global Vehicles, Inc. (GV) introduces Mahindra & Mahindra pickup trucks to the market. The Mahindra TR20 and Mahindra TR40 are compact trucks powered by a 2.2L diesel engine, priced well below the competition and soon becoming available in retail outlets across the country.

Mahindra Will Be First

Beginning this fall, Mahindra & Mahindra pickup trucks will be sold across the United States through an American distributor. Mahindra will be the first of many Indian and Chinese cars to be sold in America.

Though Mahindra is the first Indian automaker to sell its vehicles across the country, they won’t be the last as Tata Motors is expected to begin selling its ultra-cheap Nano here by early 2011. In addition, China will be sending cars to the US as Coda Automotive imports its electric vehicle from that country.

Just a few years back, the thought of Indian or Chinese cars being sold in the states had some proclaiming that consumers wouldn’t accept their supposed lower quality standards. Turns out that consumers aren’t so cautious and are, in fact, willing to embrace Chinese and Indian passenger vehicles sight unseen according to a survey conducted by AutoPacific.

Hyundai, Kia Lead The Way

“As Hyundai and Kia have been on the American scene for decades now, it’s surprising that consideration for Chinese and Indian brands, sight unseen, would be about as strong as it is for the Korean brands,” said George Peterson, president of automotive research firm AutoPacific and author of the study. “However, with so many premium and high-tech non-automotive products already being made in China and purchased by Americans, why not automobiles too? It appears that buyers in America are willing to give Chinese and Indian vehicles a chance right out of the box. Understanding these consumers will be critically important to the success of any newcomer.”

Titled, “Opportunity for Chinese and Indian Brands in the USA,” the survey reveals that 15% of Americans would purchase a Chinese car sight unseen while 11% would purchase an Indian vehicle without seeing it first.  The survey was aimed toward 30,000 people who were asked what they wanted in their next car or truck.

Coveted Car Consumers

“Not only are a significant number of people willing to consider Chinese and Indian brands, this group consists of highly desirable buyers who would be coveted by any manufacturer. They tend to be young, well-educated, and affluent for their age and have good jobs in administrative, health care and middle management positions,” added Peterson.

Many of those who responded positively to Indian and Chinese cars already drive cars from other Asian manufacturers, suggesting that if customers embrace these vehicles, they’d be current owners of those brands instead of what GM, Ford and Chrysler builds.

How Far The American Driver Has Come

Regardless, the survey is interesting as it shows how far Americans have come where their personal vehicles are concerned — people are much more willing to embrace foreign makes even those brands that they aren’t familiar with.

Source: AutoPacific

See Also – Developing Trends Promise To Reshape Auto Industry

Developing Trends Promise To Reshape Auto Industry

The just released Kia Forte sedan will soon be joined by the Forte Koup, a stylish two-door model arriving later this summer.

We’re right at the middle of the year which is a good time to take a look at the auto industry and what is coming down the pike over the coming 6 to 18 months. The first six months of the year were very active as both GM and Chrysler went bankrupt with Chrysler already emerging through its proceedings and is now part of Fiat. The rest of the industry is awaiting for the market to rebound, but the auto landscape will continue to change in the months ahead.

The following are some of the changes on the horizon:

Near term – This summer, Ford will release the all new Ford Taurus a nicely redesigned full sized sedan for the Blue Oval. Ford will also be introducing its highly anticipated EcoBoost technology and will roll out its Lincoln MKT crossover by late summer. GM has a pair of Cadillacs in the pipeline – the SRX crossover and the CTS wagon. Buick will get a new LaCrosse sedan while GMC inherits the Terrain which is based on the Chevy Equinox. Chrysler has nothing coming up while Acura will stick a V6 engine in the TSX. The Kia Forte KOUP should be in showrooms by late August.

This fall – The remaining 2010 models will be out, a model year that began right after the new year when the Mercedes GLK was introduced. A hatchback BMW 5-Series is on its way, while a small X1 crossover is being introduced.  A restyled Audi A8 hits the market while the S4 makes its return. Hyundai introduces a restyled Tucson while the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution will be welcomed back. A hybrid version of the Porsche Cayenne will be introduced. Mahindra will be selling their first trucks this fall.

Next spring – 2010 will have several watershed moments including the introduction of the Ford Fiesta subcompact. Throughout the year beginning in the Spring, automaker will be rolling out several pure electric and plugin hybrid models. Mitsubishi and Nissan appear to be leading the way with Ford and Toyota following.

Summer 2010 and Beyond – The Chevy Volt will likely hit showrooms by November but there will be lots of new models from new manufacturers including Coda, Fisker, Th!nk, Smart, MINI and perhaps V-Vehicle if the latter doesn’t turn out to be a bad case of vaporware. By the end of the year the Fiat 500 should be ready for the US. Tata Motors could be bringing the Nano to the US by year end, but 2011 looks like a better bet.

There is really very little uniformity in the auto industry as consolidation means some brands will disappear or be companies merged while new ones will continue to pop up especially if government money plays in as it is doing now in the US. China and India with their vast consumer societies are forces to be reckoned with as their cars begin to appear on American highways.

Thus, the forecast I gave is just a generalized overview, with room for additional changes too.

See Also — Coda Automotive Introduces All Electric Sedan