Mahindra & Mahindra is now looking to acquire a manufacturing plant in the United States to produce the TR20, the TR40, the Scorpio and future models. Because of the excessive Chicken Tax, which imposes a 25% tax on imported trucks, Mahindra wants to “explore various options” to find the most economically-feasible option for them.

Mahindra vehicles are currently sold in 22 countries worldwide, but the Indian automaker is targeting the US as its largest export market in the next few years. Mahindra is offering a more fuel efficient and competitively priced option to the US market. The TR20 and the TR40 will retail for $22,000 and $25,000 respectively.

Mahindra is yet to announce which facilities or areas they are considering, but people have been speculating about the possibility of reviving the Nummi plant in Fremont, California, which Toyota has given up on. However, it might be a long shot since it’s very far from their headquarters in Georgia. They might also look into former GM and Chrysler dealers which closed down recently.

According to Larry Daniel, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Global Vehicles USA, Inc., US distributor of Mahindra, the new sales launch date of the Mahindra trucks in North America will now be on February 2010. Mahindra & Mahindra’s US debut has been moved twice. Global Vehicles originally announced the trucks launch to be in spring 2009, then moved to fall 2009 after US vehicle consultants and retailers recommended nearly 200 product changes to their trucks. Now, they’re expecting to sell the vehicles starting February next year.

Even though the changes being made to the trucks have been running ahead of schedule, the Indian automaker decided to delay the US launch to make sure that both the TR20 and TR40 trucks will be able to comply with strict quality and safety standards and ready for the discerning customers in the US. Included in these modifications are a redesigned hood and rear end, a new grille and a new front bumper guard.

The Mahindra trucks will be equipped with a 2.2 four-cylinder diesel engine and made available in both standard and crew cabs.

If you’re here it’s because like us you are a big fan of Mahindra vehicles. You want all the news and all the gossip about what projects they are working on and you like to talk to like minded people about your passion. With this in mind we thought we’d tell you a little bit more about the company you know and love.

Mahindra, which is actually called Mahindra & Mahindra was initially set up as a steel trading company in 1945. At that time it was called Mahindra & Mohammed, as it was owned by two brothers K.C. Mahindra and J.C. Mahindra but also Malik Ghulam Mohammed. The company name changed when India gained independence and Pakistan was formed and Mohammed moved there. He actually became the nations first finance minister. And so Mahindra & Mahindra Limited was formed, it’s quite a catchy name don’t you think? It’s good having a name people will remember, it’s like RAC which always sticks in people’s minds.

It wasn’t long until the company began making general-purpose utility vehicles. There first one was the Jeep which made them widely known throughout India. From there they started making light commercial vehicles and agricultural tractors. In India M & M are still the leader when it comes to the utility vehicle.

It’s not just in India where it is popular though as we are all aware of. They have a growing global market presence in automotive and tractor businesses. Here in the USA they have three assembly plants and they are also sold in six other continents, with plants in China and the UK as well as here.

The company is continually growing. Over the years announcements have been made regarding where they are going next and what vehicles they are bringing out We will keep you up to date with all the news, so we can all share the interesting history and look forward to an exciting future together.