Comments on: Mahindra’s U.S. dealers lagging behind on new dealerships, showrooms

By: JohnnyBlazE

JohnnyBlazE — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:24:27 +0000

A4 is right… Indians can be very laid back… Generally it’s Hindus in particular who are the more relaxed individuals; the whole religion is based on peaceful existence.

By: A4

A4 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:06:23 +0000

its in the latest eurocar, with the APR R8 on the cover

By: DialM4Speed

DialM4Speed — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:06:25 +0000

Whoops yeah I did mean golf cart! LOL I remember the Rabbit pick up… tried to buy a diesel one but never could find any. With all the other choices currently available I just don’t see any market for what your describing, then you want extended cab versions?? And V-6 options? This brings you right back to today’s offerings too.

By: zoomzoomer

zoomzoomer — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:38:28 +0000

My bad.. the Euro/Brazilian Courier is actually Fiesta-based.. but if Ford is bringing Transit Connect to the US, why not a Courier pickup variant? It would probably sell really well at this point.

By: zoomzoomer

zoomzoomer — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:28:31 +0000

I think he meant golf CART.. but I owned a Rabbit Diesel pickup in the late 1980s and it was actually quite useful up to its maximum payload (I believe it could haul about 700lbs, which wasn’t much thanks to the FWD nature of the beast).. plus it had lots of torque and still delivered 40-45 MPG.

I think there is room in the US market for a new wave of smaller pickups, like the old Courier and LUV. Ford was selling a small Courier pickup in Europe, I think it was on the same platform as the Transit Connect.. if they’re certifying that, couldn’t take too much to bring a companion pickup to the States, could it?

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:41:10 +0000

dialm4speed- Yes, they still put a 4 cyl in the Ranger and 5 cyl in the Colorado. But they aren’t useful for those “small” jobs, and because of the overweight nature of both pick-ups, the small engines are extremely anemic. What small jobs are we talking about? Because I believe what most of us are talking about here is maybe contracting, carrying plywood and construction materials, towing small trailers and at the end of the day be economical. And that’s probably the most work these trucks will face in the overwhelming majority of business.

Cherry wood inserts doesn’t sound like that bad of an idea, although sarcasm, but basically something pleasant to be in with a CD player, cruise control, space and looks good. We’re obviously not talking about a show truck here, but something that people are most likely going to do a lot of running about- and carrying families in with the four door models. Small turning circle, average 25 miles per gallon and do the fore mentioned is not hard to do. And I will guarantee, by 2015 they will find a way, so no reason arguing with that logic.

And you know, a glorified Golf doesn’t sound that bad when you consider the current conditions we’re in. I remember the Rabbit pick up, and although it had no power and you couldn’t expect it to tow much, it was an extremely economical, thrifty pick-up. I’m guessing with the tone you put that remark in, there’s something wrong with a Golf pick-up, right? I’m guessing because it was a little dinky, dorky thing that took away any ounce of “manlihood” you had, so you steered clear of it, right?

But here, plain simple: A small pick-up that is suitable for some rough driving. Small four and six cylinder options. Can tow 5,000 ibs if properly equipped. Return 25-30 miles per gallon for base runabout model. Suitable for an extended cab and possibly four door cab. Small turning circle, two bed choices, 5ft and 6 1/2 to 7 foot. At the same time, realize same model that has large engine and four door cab will not return 25-30 miles per gallon, but at the same time still be realistic… Regardless though, such a vehicle would be HUGE with contracting companies, so theres a fair amount of sales. Just something light, small, strong and thrifty.

By: DialM4Speed

DialM4Speed — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:44:32 +0000

Yes Jayjc08 I’m talking about the Ranger and Colorado. Back in the day (don’t know if they do now) used to put 4 bangers in the Ranger and the Colorado can be had with a 5 cyl. You gripping over the size of thes small trucks?? Do you want a useful truck for those small odd jobs or a glorified golf with a bed? And what’s with you guys and interiors?? What do you expect full Corinthian leather with solid 24k gold buttons and knobs, topped off with cherrywood inserts? Mink carpets? I’ve been in domestics, asian and european cars… Each price class uses pretty much the same crap. I really don’t know why nobody offes diesels in the US except for the Cummins engine in the Dodge Ram. If I wasn’t living in an apartment you better believe I’d get a used diesel power Ram and start cooking up biodiesel.

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:18:30 +0000

shaver- I really don’t think the Ranger needs smaller engines unless they plan on reducing weight by… 500 pounds. The current one is anywhere in the midst of 3500-3800 ibs.

maxcar- We don’t get the UK Ranger. The UK Ranger isn’t the sport trac. And really, just because it’s from the UK doesn’t make it better. It’s more recent than the current Ranger, but heavier, less powerful and economy doesn’t fare much better. The only thing better is the diesel, interior and looks.

By: ktulu

ktulu — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:38:26 +0000

hard enuff 2 sell cars people no.
no1 knows this company.
it will B tuff

By: elviososa

elviososa — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:05:21 +0000

“No worries. Americans will buy any piece of **** that’s showed in there face… as long as it ain’t from GM, Ford or Chrysler.”

Comment by DialM4Speed, posted on June30 at 6:53 pm

Completely Agree.

By: shaver

shaver — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:31:08 +0000

They must be fast, there is a hood scoop.
Sport-trac is based of explorer platform.
Ranger and Colorado need smaller 4 banger option, 2.5 and 2.8L is large. How about gas DI 2.0 w/StopStart or a little TDI. And better 6 spd manuals and autos.

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:14:45 +0000

The Big 2 and Toyota all have competitive vehicles to this that they offer elsewhere. They just dont sell them here. Of course they’ll claim it costs too mucht to make them comply to US regulations, but lets face it: if Mahindra can make some freakin’ design from 1971 comply to modern regs, then so can GM, Ford, and Toyota with their modern designs.

By: Bimmer

Bimmer — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:00:08 +0000

maxcar,
they just look similar. If you check their weight you’ll see that. UK version of Double Cab 2.5 Diesel 4×4 of most heavy Ranger curb weight is 4242 lbs (1926 kg), but Explorer Sport Track the lightest versions with V6 curb weight is 4583 lbs (2079kg). Also UK has 6 bolt 15″ or 16″ wheels, where NA Ford has 5 bolt 17″ or 18″. Just read the specs on Ranger UK instead of just looking at the pictures.

By: HemiRoadRunner

HemiRoadRunner — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:38:04 +0000

Is there an easier way to say you don’t give a $H!T about the American economy other than buying this?

By: TOZO

TOZO — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:03:26 +0000

Quite similar indeed.

By: maxcar

maxcar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:38:10 +0000

the Mahindra reminds me of the earlier Toyota Landcruisers 70 series that s still sold in South Africa today:
http://www.toyota.co.za/models/viewrange.aspx?id=lc_pickup

By: maxcar

maxcar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:29:56 +0000

Bimmer and TOZO:
The UK Ranger is sold here as the Ford Explorer Sport Trac:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/sporttrac/

By: TOZO

TOZO — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:22:14 +0000

The UK Ranger is definitely much, much better, Bimmer. …which is why Ford will hopefully put the ugly duckling US Ranger to sleep soon. About the FWD, I wouldn’t go for that. Just stick the slow yet efficient engines in for the fuel worriers. For FWD, maybe put a Chevy Aveo ST concept out there (like the Pontiac G8 ST) and turn the back part of that thing into a pickup bed. People will hate it, and then they will shut about about ultra-fuel-efficient pickups.

By: Get Real

Get Real — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:11:03 +0000

That logo looks a lot like the dead “Oldsmobile” logo.

By: golf4me

golf4me — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:48:36 +0000

Dail…the “small” GM and Ford BARELY get 20mpg, with the sorry, base anemic motors. They are too heavy, and too big to be considered small. Now if GM & Ford offered diesels in them, then they’d have something. I do like the Ranger much more than the Colorado too, even though it’s old as dirt. Something honest about it.

By: A4

A4 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:21:46 +0000

its funny theres an article in one of the latest car magazines about how laid back and slow moving indians are.. not in a racist light

By: Bimmer

Bimmer — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:43:03 +0000

TOZO,
and make Ranger and Colorado FWD? (Since Focus and Cobalt are FWD). There’s a reason why real trucks are RWD.
What North American market needs is for Ford to bring here UK version of Ranger (see image here: http://www.autospectator.com/uploads/Ford/2007/Ranger/UK/Ranger_Wildrak.jpg)
It’s available with Crew Cab and has 143PS 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine, and new 156PS 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. I’m sure it would take sales from upcoming Mahindra.

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:26:10 +0000

dialm4speed- What small pick-ups? You mean LARGE pick-ups? The current slew of crap “mid size” pick-ups only fare better than their larger cousins by two or three miles per gallons- they have some of the crappiest interiors by far- they’re the last to get a major investment. The Ranger and in some aspects, the Colorado are the only remaining small pick-ups, and even those are fairly large.

I’m sure some of them who are pulling out are only doing so because of the lack of products. Yes, the Japanese were successful with their small pick-ups, but they didn’t enter with just pick-ups. They only entered with their pick-ups once gas crunches came.

By: TOZO

TOZO — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:51:00 +0000

Do junkyards count as Mahindra dealerships?
This whole launch thing is not going to go smoothly, it never does, and it might not even happen. And even if it does, this crap cannot be sold here. All the other automakers need to do in order to kill this idiot company’s dream is to put a smaller engine in their pickups and SUVs, and it’s done. Some automakers already have done. If they want to go further, real simple: Ford only needs to put a Focus engine in the Ranger, Chevy can put a Cobalt engine in the Silverado, maybe add a hybrid motor, Toyota can hybridize the Tacoma, and so on. And there will be hybrid pickups from Dodge and GM by the time this Mahindra crap comes along.
Mahindra & Mahindra = Stupid & Ugly

By: Payton Byrd

Payton Byrd — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:50:21 +0000

The Ford Ranger has made a comeback (despite being on a platform over 10 years old) and is now becoming politically impossible to kill off as planned. There’s definitely a market for small and efficient trucks.

By: TomF

TomF — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:37:30 +0000

Hey, people bought Yugos. For awhile.

By: DialM4Speed

DialM4Speed — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:30:45 +0000

Ford, Dodge and GM already make small trucks that get at least 20 mpg so what’s the point to this?

By: golf4me

golf4me — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:14:46 +0000

If that pickup gets 25-30mpg, they’ll sell every one of them, just like the Japs did when they made pickups that were actually small and efficient…I actually like the throwback look. Looks like a truck. A man’s truck. Not one a metrosexual drives to get his pedicure.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:09:32 +0000

Without getting into most basic debate about whether or not the product is any good, I’d be a little wary as well about sticking my neck out to ante up for a dealership. As the article suggests, why would you be terribly anxious to get into a declining segment with vehicles that use the most expensive fuel?

By: zoomzoomer

zoomzoomer — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:46:03 +0000

The two segments Mahindra is entering are declining because the majority of products offered in those segments are V8- or V10-powered and weigh in excess of 5000 pounds.. these products will fill a new low-cost, high-efficiency niche that should do well, provided the products are reasonably reliable and marketed properly. Why not follow the Korean model and offer a 10-year warranty for the early adopters? Then the rest of us can decide for ourselves once we see how those guinea pigs fare!

By: gbb

gbb — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:04:42 +0000

Just what we need, a crappy knock off of a 1972 datsun P/U badged as a 2008 whathefukever. People that buy this **** deserve it.

By: DialM4Speed

DialM4Speed — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:53:45 +0000

No worries. Americans will buy any piece of **** that’s showed in there face… as long as it ain’t from GM, Ford or Chrysler.

By: F451

F451 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:50:53 +0000

I heard they are lagging owed to not being able to find a supplier who can provide them with a paper bag large enough to put over the front of this hideous truck.

By: cmx

cmx — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:47:12 +0000

It will be interesting to see response to these vehicles, especially considering how the Chinese have fared. You get what you pay for.