Mahindra is nearing its launch on February next year and talks about their brand and products are all over cyberspace. While it’s being durability tested in Wisconsin, we’ve listed down some key points in some of the internet chatter concerning the Mahindra brand and their TR20 and TR40.

Going through what the people are saying, there truly is a clamor for compact trucks, which most car manufacturers have been neglecting. Right now, only the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon twins are available today that match up to the Mahindra pickups. Some people claim that for a nation that’s been branded the best at making trucks, the American auto manufacturers sure are ignoring a huge segment of truck buyers looking for a utility vehicle that’s more practical than the oversized pickups dominating the market at the moment. The fact is, not everyone who buys trucks is a contractor. A lot of people just prefer the towing capability and utility that sedans and SUVs do not offer and a small pickup like this one will allow them to maneuver and park easier, not to mention get better gas mileage.

Some are in the middle about them having diesel engines. Compared to the $3.69/gallon gasoline, diesel has consistently sold for more than gas and priced at $4.15/gallon on average all over the United States. Although some are concerned about the price of diesel, others prefer the additional torque that diesel engines offer.

Furthermore, a lot of people have voiced out their concerns about Mahindra. Many people are concerned about the TR20 and TR40’s design. People have described it as looking retro or dated and prefer a sleeker design than something that looks like it was built in the 90’s. People also think that the Mahindra trucks are overpriced starting at $22,000 compared to the reliable and trusted Ford Ranger which costs just a little over $16,000. Because Mahindra is not widely recognized and are very new to the US auto market, people are also unsure about whether or not they provide a good After Sales support for their products, which may become a huge issue later on.

Mahindra looks like they are exactly on point about selling compact trucks and offering an alternative to the US market. However, there seems to be a lot of things that they still need to work out before their launch, which is just a few months away.

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.