May 10th, 2010 by Ross Edwards
Mahindra, the Indian carmaker that plans to sell its small, diesel engine pickups in America this year, says that it should be able to begin sales in about 90 days. Mahindra trucks have been delayed by slower than anticipated EPA testing and some bureaucratic roadblocks.
The biggest selling point of the Mahindra pickups, which will come in either singe or double-cab configurations, is also the source of some of the company’s biggest delays in getting the trucks over here. The clean diesel engines in the small pickups will be the only ones available in America without going to a 3/4-ton (F250/2500) truck. The EPA needs to verify that the “clean” diesel engine really is clean though, and that has taken longer than Mahindra expected.
John Perez, CEO of Global Vehicles USA, which is Mahindra’s distributor in America, says that the tests are over and final paperwork has been submitted. He estimates that it will take about 30 days to receive final approval, at which point the trucks will be shipped over to America. The shipping process will take 30 to 60 days, according to Autoblog.
The Mahindra pickup trucks don’t have an official fuel economy rating yet, but the 2.2-liter diesel engine is expected to get about 30-mpg on the highway. Diesel powered small trucks are popular in other parts of the world, but haven’t caught on in America. Most buyers who need more towing and hauling capacity than the Ranger or Colorado can deliver are happy to buy a larger truck, so Mahindra is taking a gamble that Americans are interested in a small diesel truck.
Mahindra trucks have also been delayed by the Chicken Tax, which would have added about $4,000 to the price of the trucks.
Image via Autoblog.
Protect your vehicle with an extended warranty! Get a fast free quote on affordable extended warranties for used and new cars here! 
Don't forget to factor insurance costs into your research. Get accurate insurance rate information on any vehicle and shop for the best deal.
Get real price quotes from local dealerships. Don't buy a car without checking the price first! Pit dealers against each other to get the best deal possible!
{/literal}
“Most buyers who need more towing and hauling capacity than the Ranger or Colorado can deliver are happy to buy a larger truck, so Mahindra is taking a gamble that Americans are interested in a small diesel truck.”
I think this gamble will pay off. Why opt for something more expensive and less fuel efficient when you get very impressive capacity (more than the Ranger and Colorado) in a smaller body and at a cheaper price?
I hope you’re right Jonathan. If Mahindra is successful, it will force Ford and GM to up the ante and the small pickup segment will finally be competitive again, and the outcome will be better trucks for consumers.
[…] grown larger. The only competition for a Jeep pickup would be from the Ford Ranger and the upcoming Mahindra diesel-powered small pickup. A Jeep Pickup Truck would most likely be based on the […]
[…] Chevy Colorado and GM Canyon twins as the only choice Americans have for a small pickup until the Mahindra diesel small truck finally makes its way to the states. With the Explorer Sport Trac gone, there […]
[…] Perez, the CEO of Mahindra’s U.S. distributor Global Vehicles USA, said in May that the certification process for the Mahindra diesel pickup was almost over and in about 30 days the company would be able start shipping vehicles to dealerships. Obviously […]