Industry News: Mahindra Squashes Rumor Of Building Trucks In the US in2012

[William Maley]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

December 27, 2011

Mahindra, the company who promised to bring small diesel powered pickups to the US has been having their share of problems. Fallout between them and their importer, Global Vehicles USA and lawsuits from dealers have delayed the introduction.

A couple of weeks ago, Mahindra Planet, "The Unofficial Mahindra U.S. News Source," reported that Mahindra and Navistar, the international truck and bus builder had worked out a deal to build Mahindra trucks at a new plant in Alabama starting in 2012.

Mahindra and Navistar? Yes, the two companies have been working together since 1963 and have a joint operation in India.

The move would allow Mahindra to bypass an importer and get their trucks on the road.

However, Mahindra has said this week the rumor is false.

“There have been reports in certain quarters of media and online space stating that Navistar USA will produce Mahindra’s T20 and T40 pickups in Alabama, USA in 2012, which are completely baseless & incorrect. If and when there are any material developments, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited will communicate them directly and transparently.”

Mahindra didn't say when or if they would be arriving in the US.

Source: Mahindra Planet, Left Lane News

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[Drew Dowdell]

They need a new name for sale in the U.S.

[A Horse With No Name]

Agreed...but we need a good light duty diesel truck in the USA.

[Robert Hall]

Agreed...but we need a good light duty diesel truck in the USA.

Maybe the Ram via Fiat will come up w/ something. Both GM and Ford have new, modern small diesel trucks outside NA, but seem unable to make a business case for them here..

[daves87rs]

Kinda good, I guess...

[regfootball]

Agreed...but we need a good light duty diesel truck in the USA.

then maybe ford or chevy should step up to the plate

[ocnblu]

If Navistar and Mahindra have been working together since 1963 (!), then they should build a new, modern small diesel pickup in a joint venture for the US and call it International so-and-so. It would increase its chances of success here if it had a recognizable name. Just sell it at Navistar and Case-International dealers, BOOM, prolem solved!

Edited December 28, 2011 by ocnblu

[Drew Dowdell]

If Navistar and Mahindra have been working together since 1963 (!), then they should build a new, modern small diesel pickup in a joint venture for the US and call it International so-and-so. It would increase its chances of success here if it had a recognizable name. Just sell it at Navistar and Case-International dealers, BOOM, prolem solved!

You're in the wrong business my friend.

[balthazar]

Tho those dealers are few & far between, ocnblu makes solid marketing sense. 'International' would be a great move, tho the styling needs a complete do-over for it to get anywhere, sales-wise. Selling a 1980 pickup in 2015 does not a business plan make.

[Robert Hall]

Selling a 1980 pickup in 2015 does not a business plan make.

If they priced it low enough, it would sell to the cheapskates that kept the Ranger going for so long w/ so few changes, probably....

[Drew Dowdell]

I see these as primarily being work trucks for people who don't need a full sizer..... The Transit-Connect of trucks. As such, they don't need quite the dealer network that a Chevy or Ford would.

[balthazar]

Ranger was at least from this millenium, appearance-wise.

If folk didn't need the full-size capabilities of a truck, they'd be far better off with a Transit Connect than a small open pick-up. More versatility.

[G. David Felt]

This truck is but ugly and the only GOOD point is it is a small Diesel.

[Drew Dowdell]

Someone should photochop an International looking grill onto it.