Mahindra Eyes December Production Launch for U.S. Truck

NEW YORK – Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. is targeting the first week of December for Job One launch of U.S.-bound trucks at its Nasik, India, plant.

Global Vehicles U.S.A., the American distributor, will begin distribution in the southeast U.S. early next year. The trucks will be shipped from Nasik to Brunswick, GA, Global Vehicles President John Perez says.

The U.S.-bound 2-door TR20 and 4-door TR40 will be powered by a 140-hp 2.2L clean diesel that employs urea technology to reduce oxides of nitrogen emissions. Both trucks get a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Perez says full national distribution of the trucks through a dealer network of about 340 franchisees is expected to be achieved by the end of next year. Prices have not yet been announced.

The Indian pickups are 206.7 ins. (525 cm) long, 69.7 ins. (177 cm) wide and 71.8 ins. (182 cm) high. Payload is 2,633 lbs. (1,194 kg) for the rear-drive model and 2,413 lbs. (1,095 kg) for the 4-wheel-drive version.

Mahindra is already producing the pickups for domestic distribution. The trucks are also exported to Australia, South Africa and Brazil, among other markets.

Global Vehicles, which is headquartered in Alpharetta, GA, plans to begin importing Maruti’s Scorpio SUV in 2011.