Competion from Jeep via Fiat

[jackson]

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Dear Mahindra fans,
Good news is coming. Fiat is keeping its hands off the Jeep Wrangler, but adding what it needs to be competitive. Dan Neil, of the LA Times said,"According to Fiat-Chrysler's five-year plan, the Wrangler will get a long-overdue diesel engine option at the end of 2010, and make some concessions to fuel economy (a start-stop system) and creature comforts (a restyled interior). But otherwise, the Italian bosses are going to leave the old donkey alone."

Mahindra hit the small vehicle with a diesel engine market early, the competition is moving to position their products to compete for their share of this market.
Mahindra is moving in the right direction, the sooner the better, pent up demand is creating a move away from present offerings from the auto industry into alternative vehicles. Mahindra, once it begins to release their message and vehicles, will gain market share from the early adapters as well as others who have delayed a purchase for a high mileage non-hybrid vehicle.

[Andy]

I have a Wrangler, it would be the perfect rig with a diesel motor! I'm really excited to see what diesel vehicles start popping up in the next couple years. Makes me wonder if Suzuki is watching all this for their new Equator.

[DickIsGone]

Chrysler destroyed the Jeep with their trash wannabe redesign a few years back. The drive shaft is now junk, and it's very questionable if Dana even makes the axles for the Rubicon any longer.

I've owned 3 Wranglers and one (real) Rubicon over the years, but no longer. The moment they slapped power windows and oversize plastic bumpers on one, they lost me forever. If I wanted that crap, I'd buy a minivan.

[clubgitmo]

creature comforts (a restyled interior). But otherwise, the Italian bosses are going to leave the old donkey alone."

Added creature comforts but OTHERWISE left the old donkey alone? Haha... There goes Jeep.

[jackson]

Yes. The Jeep has seen some poor changes from the core values that Jeep stands for to their owners. Fiat has seen the importance of Jeep by discontinuing the poor products that diluted the brand. Secondly, Fiat wants to give the Jeep an interior worthy of the brand rather than some copied design made from low quality plastics. It is a good point Dick, that if Fiat is using one of their proven diesel, it should upgrade the supportive components, such as the axles you suggest. This all relates back to Mahindra entering the market that was not in existence in the US, affordable and practical applications of diesel for the common man. If Suzuki wants to compete, Andy's idea of bring a diesel version of the Equator to the US, would give Suzuki the separation from Nissan and other trucks, rather than competing head with a similar product.
Mahindra has what Jeep use to have, a unique look and style that owners can use for various task with little worry.

[Andy]

I only found out like 3 months ago that Suzuki even started making a truck. It amazes me that they did not do something original. From what I can see its hardly talked about online!