Mahindra says U.S. dealership construction moving full speed ahead
07/02/2008, 10:17 AM
By Nick Aziz
A top executive for the U.S. arm of India’s Mahindra & Mahindra (Global Vehicles U.S.A.) has denied the accuracy of a recent report that claims American dealers might be getting cold feet or losing momentum ahead of the planned 2009 U.S. launch. “The dealers are not dragging their feet when it comes to building showrooms,” Marketing Vice President Xavier Beguiristain told Leftlane.
“We have about 100 dealers signed up with the architectural firm,” Beguiristain said. He went on to say the owners of Arlington Toyota have already built a free standing facility for their Mahindra dealership.
Beguiristain also suggested the spring 2009 timeline might not be entirely accurate, and the first vehicles will likely be “in the dealer showroom is sometime in the second half of 2009.”
Mahindra has high hopes for its compact pickup and SUV, which will be the first models sold in America. Beguiristain described the vehicles as “fuel efficient, clean burning, and rugged.” He said the pickup has a “1.3 ton load capacity and will be unequaled in the light utility vehicle segment.”
With recent rumors Mahindra might acquire Hummer from General Motors, dealers might end up with an ever wider vehicle profile than first imagined. A strong dealer network would certainly allow the cash rich Mahindra to consider a number of automaker acquisitions in the coming years.
07/02, 10:21 AM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
I hope they go full speed ahead right into bankruptcy, then take a right turn to the junkyard. Whoever said these vehicles are “fuel efficient, clean burning, and rugged†left out they were @$$ ugly.
07/02, 10:32 AM
posted by:
xyunya
This is the next generation F150 (or what F150 should been in the first place). Working people do need truck for work not for posturing and this is the truck for work. It looks as beautiful as 12 oz. hummer (the tool not the pussy chasing vehicle), but that is how tools look.
07/02, 10:56 AM
posted by:
jumpoffit
but will my 22s fit on this truck? i mean, i just want a truck thats ALL show and not really a go- where am i going to put my 10 12’s subs and amps and tweeters? damn, looks like i need to get an H2 instead
07/02, 11:03 AM
posted by:
olds307
Can I sell a 1972 Datsun and call it ummmm i dunno Gowanus & Gowanus??
07/02, 11:13 AM
posted by:
corvette
this will be fun.
07/02, 11:33 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
The worst part for those who buy this is going to be trying to get in and close the door before too many flies get in.
07/02, 11:55 AM
posted by:
frylock350
Somebody call Nissan, their 70s Datsun truck design just got ripped off.
@xyunya,
This thing’s capability as a work vehicle is inferior to an F150’s in every conceivable way. The F150 isn’t even enough for lots of contractors, they opt for the Super Duty variants (which haven’t dropped near as much as 1/2 tons have in sales).
@jumpoffit,
This Indian POS certainly has no go to go with its no show if that’s your concern. Its as pretty as Rosie O’Donnell and moves about as quickly.
For people who need a truck I just can’t see this being feasible. Truck owners won’t accept Toyota or Honda products, do you really think they’ll accept an Indian product? Its slow, really really slow. 0-60 in eventually. I think at 0-60 in about 8 seconds, my Suburban is too slow. It’ll be even slower with some weight behind it. I can just imagine trying to pass a tractor-trailor on the 2-lanes in this. The tractor-trailer’s probably quicker…
07/02, 12:28 PM
posted by:
shaver
This would sell well in Mexico if they were about $9000 USD. In the US this better be $4000 less then a stripped Ranger even if it can haul 1.3 T/2600 #s. A vehicle like this is silly, toyota used to make a 1 ton mini truck. Its springs were stiff enough to hold up the #s but it could not move up grade or stop safely when fully ladden. It was a joke really for anything other then farm work.
07/02, 12:32 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
Is there any better way of saying you don’t support American manufacturing other than by buying this ugly ass piece of ****?
07/02, 1:06 PM
posted by:
F451
In a world where styling is easily attained, even at the most rudimentary level, we are forced to regurgitate when this hideous vehicle is beside us at a traffic light; it reminds us about the reality of how we have not come. A 101 level design that would ensure expulsion of any design student trying to make it to second-year studies.
07/02, 4:40 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
its not nec. nice to look at but its got a certain charm about it. Kindof retro-80’s. That’s big nowadays! oh ****, this is a car we’re talking about. hmmph.
07/02, 5:51 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
“Tank yoo beddy much, mah friend. Come again.”
03/10, 9:48 AM
posted by:
Car_go
Yeah, it’s ugly, but it hauls a big load and gets great mileage. That’s what I need. Right now, I use a ‘96 F150 6cyl. standard shift on our farm. It hauls and tows a little bit of everything. It’s extremely reliable with 108000 miles. I love it. But it gets about 15 mpg – unless it’s pulling a trailer or hauling something heavy. When I replace it, I’ll definitely consider this Mahindra. I was very disappointed that Ford didn’t
produce the F100 with the small diesel that they had considered.
And as to ugly, if they would just straighten out that crooked line along the side it would help a lot. Also,
does anyone remember the early Datsun(Nissan) and Toyota pickups that were imported? They weren’t
beauty queens either. Mahindra builds good tractors, maybe their trucks will be OK also.
Give ‘em a break!