Australian Mahindra Truck Released!

Mahindra Automotive Australia introduced an updated version of its Mahindra Pik-up today with a refreshed front end and interior that possibly preview what U.S. buyers can look forward to.

On the outside, Mahindra has strengthened the looks of the front bumper and given its corporate logo a more prominent spot on the grille. The headlights are also a bit more stylish.

Inside, the Australian pickup receives new driver and front passenger airbags, wider seats, power-operated mirrors, a new AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with USB and SD-card ports, and four cupholders -- something Mahindra's U.S. distributor, Global Vehicles USA Inc., had promised would be a high priority.

Other than the right-hand-drive steering wheel and manual transmission (the U.S. version will be a six-speed automatic), is this what the Mahindra pickup truck's exterior and interior will look like when it goes on sale here late this year?

"The Australian truck looks very close to ours," GV USA spokesman Mike Geylin told PickupTrucks.com this afternoon.

The U.S. pickup, likely to be called the TR20 or TR40, depending on two- or four-door cab type, will use a slightly modified version of Mahindra's 'mHawk' 2.2-liter inline-four-cylinder clean-diesel engine instead of the 2.5-liter CRDe four-cylinder turbo-diesel in the Australian Pik-up.

Article from USA Today

It's practical; the only diesel in its class; will probably be rated at 30 miles per gallon; and perfect for fording the Ganges.

The first Indian vehicle in the U.S. is due to show up at 339 dealers around the U.S. this year. Made by Mahindra Group, the pickup is yet to get a name for the U.S. market. Described as being midsize, but really probably more of a compact, the pickup will probably sell in the low-$20,000 range and come in several different versions:

The Mahindra will come in a two-door and four-door configuration, not to mention two-wheel- and four-wheel-drive versions. Its 2.2-liter, four-cylinder diesel will be paired with a standard six-speed transmission. The pickup will have electrronic stability control, a 1.3-ton payload capacity, air conditioning (Calcutta sizzles this time of year!) and should be great for towing. To try to allay the fears of doubters, the Mahindra will come with a four-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

An SUV could follow in a year.

“The U.S. continues to be the world’s most important automotive market in terms of size, growth and opportunity,” said Pawan Goenka, president of Mahindra’s automotive group. “Mahindra’s entry into the U.S. auto market is a significant step not just for our company, but for India. We look forward to working with our importer, Global Vehicles, and its impressive dealer network to make Mahindra a U.S. success story.”

Global Vehicles is based in Atlanta. Mahindra has been importing tractors into the U.S. for more than decade.

Photo of Mahindra pickup by Global Vehicles USA