Mahindra Launch Delays: Is 2010 Too Soon?

[MahindraPlanet]

Register to stop seeing this ad!

Automotive News published a fantastic report by Lindsay Chappell on the state of Mahindra’s US vehicle launch on Monday. It has subsequently been hacked by the blogosphere into disjointed, bite-sized...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

More...

[pee wee]

You've done a great job pulling the news (what little of it there is) together for us, Chris. Thank you for all your hard work.
It is unfortunate for those of us that were looking on Mahindra pickups favorably that there is no good news right now, and the near future doesn't look bright either. I agree that it makes some sense at this point for them to cancel the launch of the current truck and wait it out until the new version comes along. More bad news- I figured the current model had a little history behind it so it wasn't a total crap shoot to buy one, but the new model will be too risky for my money. If they can buy a clue, they need to offer a basement basic model once they get their act together, like so many of the posters here have said- rubber floor covering, plastic seats, made for people who get dirty, with no frills. I know they won't, because it doesn't fit with the upscale image they attach to this model- laughable to buyers in this country who have seen truly upscale trucks. The other manufacturers have to be slapping their knees about now, because it looks like Mahindra & Mahindra has totally thrown away their moment of advantage to break into this market while the established truck makers had their metaphorical pants down. I hope that Mahindra's failure in this country won't be a signal to the truck makers here to slack off, because some Americans still want real trucks that are small and hard working and affordable to buy and operate.

[sirmombo]

I really don't think they have much to lose by waiting until 2011 or even 2012. They haven't done any marketing and very few perspective customers would even be aware of all the missed launch dates. The dealers would be the only big losers.

In my fantasy world, Mahindra would wait until they reach a deal with International so they can assemble the trucks in the U.S. and avoid the chicken tax. Using U.S. suppliers would relieve some of the fears concerning parts availability. I also think it would greatly benefit them if they could market the trucks as new International Scouts and not made by Mahindra. A new International Scout would have much better market acceptance than a Mahindra. I have a cub cadet tractor made by Mahindra and a new International Scout would really fit in.

[pee wee]

You're right, sirmombo. Most of what Mahindra has spent on this project will still apply a year from now. I recall they were going to "eat" the chicken tax to get things rolling, now they may find a way around that. Since practically nobody knew about this truck anyway, maybe their reputation will not be badly tarnished. What has to be the biggest problem is the dealer network. All those dealers who are already fed up may start asking for their money back. I'm sure word gets around among the dealers if a company is screwing them over, so it may be hard for Mahindra to rebuild a network from the ground up- GV will likely be out of the picture by then, unless M&M offers them lots of money to stick it out. If the economy is on the rebound a dealer may not feel pressured to accept the crummy arrangement the Indian manufacturers are no doubt offering. Other than a way to unload their trucks a year from now, they don't have much to lose by waiting.

[ToxicSludge]

Hmmm,this news is disheartening at the very least.I had all intentions of buying a TR40 in the next several months.Looks like that ain't gonna happen.I have been saying for the last decade or more,"the first company to come out with a compact diesel pickup,will rule the USA for a long time".I thought for sure that would have been M&M.2011 or 2012 there just might be a diesel jeep pickup by then......or maybe a new Ford ranger diesel etc.Nissan and Toyota are looking at the same thing too.All in all,M&M blew it........too bad for everyone....sigh.

[Andy]

Great article, Chris!

[TXBlackKnight]

They may not hurt there own image, but if I were a dealer who signed up to sell these trucks by 2009, I would be pretty pissed if they extend the date a couple of YEARS. I would ask for my money back or sue as a possible violation of contract law. That couple of hundred grand would be making some interest somewhere besides the pocket of M&M in my book. Get it together M&M or give the dealers the option of opt out if you are going to do this.

[dadtdave]

I agree with TXBlackKnight, they probably haven't really hurt their image--no one knows who they are except the Forum and Mahindra Planet followers--thanks Chris and Andy. From what I can surmise, TXBlackKnight, the franchise money all went to GV not M & M. Nevertheless, as a dealer, if I had planned for vehicles in 2009, I would be pretty pissed. If I had been waiting on Perez since the failed CrossLander thing, I'd be ugly pissed. Not putting the blame on GV, but the consequences may fall that way. I am planning to test drive/look for a new truck this spring and buy late summer or fall. The time frame so far hasn't changed, but I am somewhat apprehensive over companies that don't meet timelines due to poor planning or events that shouldn't be unforseen. What does that say for service and parts? What if M & M had to do a Toyota style recall? How many years would that take? Kinda scary, eh?!?!?

[blue7.3]

Outstanding reporting as always, Chris!

And for anyone interested in an ACTUAL diesel pickup (I know, it's not cheap) the pic in my sig below is a 2011 Ford Scorpion V8 TD. Available right now at your local Ford dealer...
-pete

[dadtdave]

Heck yes, Gimme the F250 6.7 turbo diesel King Ranch Edition--$54,000+!!!