Archive for October, 2009

The Biggest Little Truck in the World from Mahindra

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Global Vehicles has justr20ost of the other trucks available in the US market today. With clean-burning engines that produce 30% less greenhouse gases than their counterparts and get 30 miles per gallon on the highway, the Mahindra trucks can give existing truckers or otherwise,  exactly what they need today.

The Mahindra 2-door and 4-door diesel trucks have a 6-speed automatic transmission, electronic stability control, traction control, active rollover mitigation, 4-wheel ABS brakes, and best of all, its turbo diesel engine runs on 140 horsepower and 236 ft-lbs of torque. It also has an amazing payload capacity of 2,765 lbs., better than the standard pickups offered by Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Nissan and Dodge.

It also looks like their February 2010 launch may push through at over 350 dealers nationwide. The Mahindra trucks will be backed by a 4-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and all 350 dealers will be servicing the trucks themselves.

Refer to the TR20 and TR40 links at the top of the page for the newly released US specs of the Mahindra diesel trucks.

Mahindra Truck and SUV Accessories

Friday, October 16th, 2009

mahindra_bolero_stinger_picture_galleryOne look at the Mahindra trucks and you’ll know that they will surely stand out from the rest of the vehicles on the road. But for potential Mahindra TR20 and TR40 owners out there who do not want their trucks to look like everyone else’s, Mahindra does offer a couple of accessories for their present trucks and SUV.

If you frequently pass by dusty roads or foggy areas, you may want to get your vehicle a Mahindra fog lamp kit for safety purposes. Mahindra’s fog lamp kit has lamps that are of the highest quality and will serve you for a long time.

aggro bull barPickupTrucks.com showed a picture of what could be the final US-spec Mahindra TR40 and it had a front bumper guard. This accessory is unique to the US market and is said to be offered as a standard feature so that the TR40 can pass low-speed crash test. However, Mahindra truck and SUV owners outside the United States who want the extra front end protection can get their trucks a bull bar in either a Macho or Aggro finish. The Macho variant comes in a steel finish and the Aggro variant has a powder-coated black finish. For those who would like a matching Roll Over Bar, Mahindra offers it too, not just for the added appeal, but also for extra protection.

mahindra-bolero-stinger-sideThose who love the classy chrome finish will like the Mahindra Chrome Kit, especially for the Mahindra SUV. The chrome kit features a scratch-free finish and thick nickel plating to prevent corrosion. It’s available for the front grille, door handles, side mirrors, tail lamps, tail pipes and front license plate. Mahindra also offers scuff plates for both their truck and SUVs to preserve and protect the sill from any scratches. Made from 100% stainless steel, the scuff plates come in a silver, black or camel finish.

mahindra-pickup-interiorFor the interiors, Mahindra offers several types of floor mats for their vehicles. I’m not sure about the printed nylon carpet mats, but they also offer transparent, magnum, vinyl and non-woven variants. Mahindra floor mats are washable and stay put because of the anti-skidding feature. Best of all, they are made to fit every contour in your Mahindra SUV or truck. They also offer durable, fire-resistant and low maintenance seat covers tailored for your Mahindra vehicle. It’s available in beige with gathering, almond, almond-coca, champagne, camel and silver-blue. Mahindra also offers their SUV owners a roof AC for maximum comfort, as well as entertainment systems.

You can get a closer look at some Mahindra accessories here or the Mahindra’s SUV accessories here. Do any of these accessories interest you Mahindra fans?

About Mahindra & Mahindra

Friday, October 9th, 2009

mahindra-logoAlthough new to the passenger vehicle market in North America, Mahindra & Mahindra is no stranger to the business. Mahindra & Mahindra is actually a major automobile and tractor manufacturer known all over the world. In fact, Mahindra Tractors is among the top three tractor manufacturers in the world and the fourth largest tractor brand in the United States. Customers know Mahindra tractors as high quality, dependable, durable and offer the best value. On the other hand, their automotive business extends to many countries including Australia, China, Spain, South Africa, Egypt, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Guinea, Zaire, Bangladesh, Turkey and Eastern Europe with vehicles that have been widely accepted by various types of customers.

After years of selling passenger vehicles, Mahindra & Mahindra is finally getting ready to enter the US market with the help of their US distributor, Global Vehicles USA. Mahindra & Mahindra is taking their entry to the US market very seriously and diligently worked with various parties and instituted a wide range of modifications only to comply with stringent US standards and be able to strongly compete with numerous auto manufacturers when they finally become available. The launch of their 2-door and 4-door diesel trucks, the first two vehicles they will be offering have been delayed for a few months to ensure the high quality of vehicles US customers expect.

Mahindra & Mahindra vehicles are heavy duty, eco-friendly and fuel-efficient. Entering the US market with the goal of filling a niche that no other auto manufacturer has addressed, Mahindra & Mahindra vehicles will be coming out strong starting next year. As early as now, many people are anxiously waiting to get their hands on Mahindra’s vehicles.

Indian auto manufacturers tap US niche markets

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

sandero2In the past, the Indian automotive industry relied heavily on imported technology, but over the past few years, manufacturers started collaborating with foreign vehicle and component manufacturers to make advancements in the industry. Since they started engaging in product innovation through joint efforts in research and development, a host of opportunities opened up for them.

When Tata Motors introduced the fuel-efficient US$2,250-worth compact car, they gained worldwide recognition for their innovative thinking. And when they acquired the luxury brands, Jaguar and Land Rover, people gave them a second look because now they’ve expanded their market to accommodate a different set of buyers.

On the other hand, Mahindra has been a strong player in the tractor business in America, but the passenger vehicle market is another matter. When Mahindra announced their entry to the US market, very few locals were familiar with their brand. We all know that a fresh player in the automotive business is at a huge disadvantage right off the bat, but when Global Vehicles announced the type of vehicles Mahindra will be offering, people started to take notice. Mahindra is making rugged, dressed down, powerful midsize trucks and SUVs in clean diesel and later hybrid powertrains.

It seems the Indian auto manufacturers will be making a mark in the industry in the next few years mainly because they are making the right decisions. They’re building these amazingly innovative, yet functional niche vehicles that are destined to make money.

In an article at DriveInside.com, Mike Hanley, global automotive leader at Ernst & Young, during a recent visit to India said that this is the perfect time for Indian car makers to enter the US market. He also sees great promise in their expansion, citing the Japanese and Korean car companies’ outcomes. He also suggested capitalizing on the small, fuel-efficient car market because of the highly successful small, “green” cars like the Toyota Prius, especially since India is fast becoming the world’s small-car hub. A lot of foreign and local auto suppliers have established their own manufacturing plants for small-cars in India.

Both Tata Motors and Mahindra are set to enter the US market soon and while it may take years before they can gain significant market share, their efforts in innovation will propel them forward, provided they first get past the challenge of satisfying the preferences and standards of the US market.