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Thats one ugly truck, But since there isn't a lot of compact trucks to compete with it, it might just sale here in the US unless other truck manufacturers start rethinking compact trucks soon.
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Mahindra plans on bringing an array of trucks to the U.S., including this single-cab compact pickup.
By RICHARD JOHNSON | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS
Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra plans to launch a range of compact pickups and SUVs in the United States in early 2009.
The vehicles are built in India, although Mahindra executives have said the pickups may be assembled elsewhere - possibly even in the United States - to get around the 25 percent U.S. tariff on imported pickups.
Mahindra plans to offer five models, all derived from its Scorpio SUV. They are a two-door pickup, two four-door pickups and two five-door SUVs. All five offerings will be powered by four-cylinder diesel engines mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. Gasoline versions may be added.
All the vehicles will ride on the same basic chassis having a wheelbase of 119.7 inches.
Pawan Goenka, president of Mahindra's automotive sector, said sticker prices will be "at the lowest end."
"Frankly, that is what we will have to do," he said. "But we are not intending that forever and ever."
A larger and more upmarket SUV to be built at a new plant in Chennai, India, is expected to be added to the U.S. lineup later.
Here is a breakdown of Mahindra's plans.
Compact SUV: Two five-door SUV models based on Mahindra's Scorpio SUV are planned for early 2009. The Scorpio was refreshed in India a year ago, although Goenka wouldn't say whether the current version is the one to be launched in the United States.
Compact pickup: The Scorpio-based pickup will be identical to the SUV from the front end to the B-pillar. A single cab and a four-door double-cab version will be offered. The double cab was launched this summer in India. The single cab has not yet debuted in India.
Large SUV: Mahindra is planning a new range of SUVs at the Chennai plant. Goenka said the new SUV will be "a notch above the Scorpio." He said the vehicle will likely be exported to the United States.
"Anything we do from here on will be potentially a U.S. car," he said. "We are not going to be in the U.S. with a single model.
"If we fail in the U.S., we fail in the U.S. If we succeed, we need more products."
Source: http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070816/FREE/70813021/1024/LATESTNEWS
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