Indian automakers aim to eat Detroit's lunch

[Gem99ultra]

Next? You mean there are more than two interested? No way - you're joshing us now, aren't you...

I will be interested to see Ford's new F150 small diesel. It was slated for '09, but slow sales put it off, probably until '10.

 

[BungeeII]

Are you sure you're in the right forum? I think it's fair to say you're torqued by the article's title...

... Mahindra is filling a market need that isn't being met.

I'm not knocking Mahindra at all. Yes, I'm a bit torqued by that article, not just the title. Perhaps I'm coming down on it too hard, but it's just terribly written, to me anyway.

Market need...
I've come to the conclusion that there just isn't enough of a market for the US auto's to offset the costs. That, and I'm sure there is a a big CAFE numbers game at play here, too. I'd ~guess~ that CAFE is the biggest reason we don't see diesels in the 1/2 ton's.

I'd love to see a diesel in an HHR, myself. I just don't think we're a big enough group and the costs are too high for the auto companies to manufacture for us diesel lovers.

 

[Baucom]

If the price is right, the mileage is good, towing and payload are reasonable, and it proves reliable, then I think Mahindra just may start something. I'd love to see a new, decent, compact truck available. New compacts are only available from GM and Ford. Toyota and Nissan have gone midsize, and they're nearly as big as a full size half ton from 15 yrs ago, with capacities and mileage to match.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

when they offer an extended cab with 6' bed and drop the majority of the geegaws, I'll be interested.
quad cab with 4' bed does me little good - especially over $25k

 

[Tig]

This truck will certainly not be for everyone. Myself, I think a 70hp diesel would suit me quite well for my occasional hauling. Any such thing as a four wheel drive version to get me through the winter?

 

[Redneck in training]

Next? You mean there are more than two interested? No way - you're joshing us now, aren't you...

I will be interested to see Ford's new F150 small diesel. It was slated for '09, but slow sales put it off, probably until '10.

All US manufacturers make small diesels but sell them only in other markets. If you buy Dodge minivan in Europe it comes with diesel, right now we rent (in India) three small Chevy SUV all with 2.5l 4inL diesel. New Ford Fiesta diesel makes 60miles/gal.
The reason they can't sell them in the US is our emission regulations. In Europe emissions are measured in mass/distance driven as opposed to US that measures it in %/volume. European regulations penalize large engines no matter how clean they are. Since the US manufacturers wanted to sell large vehicles they lobbied the government for the standard we have. Recently the diesel technology advanced enough that it would meet even future US regulations.
In other words the diesels are coming.

 

[Scooby074]

All US manufacturers make small diesels but sell them only in other markets. If you buy Dodge minivan in Europe it comes with diesel, right now we rent (in India) three small Chevy SUV all with 2.5l 4inL diesel. New Ford Fiesta diesel makes 60miles/gal.
The reason they can't sell them in the US is our emission regulations. In Europe emissions are measured in mass/distance driven as opposed to US that measures it in %/volume. European regulations penalize large engines no matter how clean they are. Since the US manufacturers wanted to sell large vehicles they lobbied the government for the standard we have. Recently the diesel technology advanced enough that it would meet even future US regulations.
In other words the diesels are coming.

Another reason why we need one standard. Having companies produce specific vehicles for europe and home is costly and wasteful.

If it meets Euro standards it should be able to be sold here and vise-versa.

 

[BungeeII]

Another reason why we need one standard. Having companies produce specific vehicles for europe and home is costly and wasteful.

If it meets Euro standards it should be able to be sold here and vise-versa.

Euro and American nothing...

We don't even have the same standards within the states.

California's CARB standards slow distribution of diesel products throughout the US because auto-makers do not want to manufacture vehicles that are not able to be sold in all 50 states.

 

[jas67]

I'd ~guess~ that CAFE is the biggest reason we don't see diesels in the 1/2 ton's.

Why do you think that? I would think that CAFE was a reason that they would make diesels available in 1/2 tons.

 

[BungeeII]

Why do you think that? I would think that CAFE was a reason that they would make diesels available in 1/2 tons.

I was thinking that CAFE was more than mileage, rather measuring particulate matter as well, but I cannot find an article to prove that, so I must be wrong. It may simply be the CARB standard that makes clean diesels too expensive.