Mahindra Pickup Update

[California]

I wish the auto industry executives would read this thread and realize the need for a small diesel pickup.

Trouble is, the American auto industry's whole business model is to make $10-30k or more margin on their largest SUV's and dressed up pickups.

So probably nothing below $25k adds any profit to the bottom line.

I've read that my little $16k Focus Wagon ($18k out the door with T,L, everything) is a loss leader that exists only to average out Ford's CAFE, Corporate Average Fuel Economy.

Then for 2009 Ford even stopped making the Station Wagon version of the Focus. I assume the reason was that it was stealing sales from $30k Fords that are only slightly better. Ford is surviving on this model (barely) without government handouts but it buried GM and Chrysler.

The early Isuzu Trooper was a clean, simple, and inexpensive design. ($14.2k out the door!) I had one and loved it. But even after Isuzu began to bring over larger and larger SUV's they couldn't make enough margin to be profitable. So they are no longer sold in the US. I considered the early flat-sided Troopers (after they added fuel injection) to be the ideal small rig like we hope these Mahindra pickups will be. But we need to recognize that is a business model that won't earn any margin for the manufacturer, so don't hold your breath.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Those little Troopers were tough. My buddy had one when I had a 1989 S-10 Blazer with the 4.3L engine. We had the same boat but his was 1 year newer. We went on a trip to Dale Hollow Tennessee with them and he had himself, wife, and 2 kids while I just had myself and my girlfriend in my Blazer. His 4 cylinder Trooper could keep up all day long and pull up the hills better than my 6 cylinder Blazer. The Trooper was finally totaled after being in a crash when his wife drove it to work in a snow storm. He was sorry to see it go and had to replace it with a Mercury Mountaineer.

Chris

 

[tommu56]

I think as pictured (right hand drive)they would be good for mail delivery .

tom

 

[Renze]

I've read that my little $16k Focus Wagon ($18k out the door with T,L, everything) is a loss leader that exists only to average out Ford's CAFE, Corporate Average Fuel Economy.

Is the Ford USA CAFE different than the CAFE of Ford Europe ? Over here they used to sell quite some Focus'es, if it was a loss leader, Ford would be bankrupt by now.
At this time, these cars in the size class of a Focus arent even popular anymore: Its the shopping trolleys like Ford Ka and Fiesta, Toyota Aygo, VW Lupo and Polo, that are the sellers: Because of the slow economy, because of the higher tax on bigger cars, and because they are so darn economical : A toyota Aygo runs on four wheelbarrow tires that cost just a few pennies to replace, they run 20 km on 1 liter of gas (yes i say GAS, not Diesel !!) and are cheap to purchase.
You cant pull any trailer nor ride the left lane on the highway, but those cars are cheap to buy, own and service. Thats what sells better than ever in Europe these days.
Oh and i forgot: your wife or ma wont damage it as easily, their small size makes it very easy to park near the shopping mall !

America will be no exception once you see some Mahindra's in town and people get used to the idea.

 

[chh]

Is the Ford USA CAFE different than the CAFE of Ford Europe ? Over here they used to sell quite some Focus'es, if it was a loss leader, Ford would be bankrupt by now.
At this time, these cars in the size class of a Focus arent even popular anymore: Its the shopping trolleys like Ford Ka and Fiesta, Toyota Aygo, VW Lupo and Polo, that are the sellers: Because of the slow economy, because of the higher tax on bigger cars, and because they are so darn economical : A toyota Aygo runs on four wheelbarrow tires that cost just a few pennies to replace, they run 20 km on 1 liter of gas (yes i say GAS, not Diesel !!) and are cheap to purchase.
You cant pull any trailer nor ride the left lane on the highway, but those cars are cheap to buy, own and service. Thats what sells better than ever in Europe these days.
Oh and i forgot: your wife or ma wont damage it as easily, their small size makes it very easy to park near the shopping mall !

America will be no exception once you see some Mahindra's in town and people get used to the idea.

Ford is bringing the Feista to the US this year, other than that I didn't recognize a single model you mentioned.

 

[milkman]

I understand they signed up a bunch of ex-chrysler dealers plus there are some "new" dealerships as well.

I wonder if this may have something with launching the Nano in the US? Pure speculation on my part, but it would be interesting. There both Indian made, with excellent mileage and are being aimed at value minded individuals.

Dont forget that the Nano, despite being ridiculously cheap, did real well in the Euro NCAP tests. Which is amazing for such a cheap vehicle.

But they won't be cheap when a tariff is slapped on them, remember the $2500 added to the imports in the '80's because they got better mileage.

 

[Scooby074]

But they won't be cheap when a tariff is slapped on them, remember the $2500 added to the imports in the '80's because they got better mileage.

Cash for Clunkers will pay the tariff with almost enough left to buy the Nano Free cars for all!!

 

[Builder]

Cash for clunkers is doing incredible damage to our church's car donation to the poor program and is also doing a lot of damage to charities like "purple heart".

It's also like a tax on the poor because it has suddenly made $500-$2,000 cars worth a lot more, making old cars a lot more expensive.

 

[Knute]

I still think it's an interesting little truck and will definitely go see them when they hit the dealers. If they can make a 4x4, 4 door version that will get a real world 25 mpg city I'll probably dump my Kia commuter car for one.

I wish GM hadn't killed the 4.5L Durmax for the 1/2 tons *sigh*.

 

[Groo]

I might buy one if I can fit in it. It looks fairly roomy, so I'm not too worried there. as it stand now, I'm limited to a domestic full sized truck and maybe a mini or full sized van.

as for you guys worrying about it only going 45 on the freeway with a load. maybe uphill, but it will still get up to speed on the flats.

My company used to have a 3 axle box truck with a very wimpy Cat 7.2. It was ony rated at 165 hp, and was quite tired and wore out before it got sold.

they would still it load with well over 20,000 lbs of crap send it down the freeway. It just took a year and a day to get up to speed...