New Mahindra Trucks

[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]

Originally Posted by farmboy12

Mahindra


Kyle

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

[MDM]

Originally Posted by gyrogeerloose

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by MDM

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]

Originally Posted by thatguy

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]

Originally Posted by farmboy12

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]

Originally Posted by flusher

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.