Mahindra trucks - coming to a Saturn dealer near you?
According to John Perez, CEO of Global Vehicles U.S.A. Inc., his company was approached by a senior official at General Motors to see about selling the Indian vehicles in Saturn's 403 dealerships. Global Vehicles holds the contract to distribute Mahindra's line of diesel-powered pickup trucks here in America. Apparently, the offer was rebuffed, though the possibility remains that Mahindra pickups could be sold at selected Saturn dealerships. Instead of handing over the rights to sell the vehicles complete with Saturn badges, Global Vehicles has reportedly contacted roughly 40 Saturn dealerships about changing over to Mahindra shops. Last month, General Motors announced that it would stop providing Saturn with new products after the 2011 model year.
Perez says that 327 dealerships have already signed on to distribute Mahindra's wares here in the United States. Following the launch of the pickups later this year, the Indian automaker's line of SUVs and crossovers may be on their way as well.
Gallery: SAE 2008: Mahindra Scorpio SUV
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ronEbear 5:37PM (3/04/2009)
Sign me up!
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ale 7:08PM (3/04/2009)
Amen to that! Maybe this will be sold in my area, ooh, i can't wait.. to hell with waiting for the domestics or japanese to make this vehicle, lets get it now with Mahindra
Brn 5:50PM (3/04/2009)
Every review I've read of this vehicle has been generally negative. It's exactly what Saturn doesn't need.
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gulags 7:57PM (3/04/2009)
I'm really conflicted. Part of me cheers this development because there really is a need for low-cost, two (or three) seat pickups, since the American and Japanese trucks have turned into luxury status symbols over the last 20 years. Sometimes a guy just needs to haul 50 bags of dirt, not entertain a bunch of brats in the backseat with a Blu-Ray of Madagascar 3.
... on the other hand, this thing is ugly as sin. That's a face that only a mother could love. Something about the headlamps and the plastic grill behind the windows just puts me off.
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alexacoon 9:18PM (3/04/2009)
My biggest worry about buying one of their vehicles would be if they are going to rot of their frames in a few years. I have horrible memories of 70's early 80's mini trucks of nearly all makes being terrible for that and I don't believe India has much in the way of snow covered, salt and sanded roads.
If someone could convince me otherwise I might be interested.
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Darin 2:58PM (3/05/2009)
On the other hand...one might surmise that our roads are illustrious smooth paved ways of gold compared to Indian roads. Even if reared without snow they may be actually built like trucks.
jim 10:40AM (3/05/2009)
While I'll reserve final judgment till I drive one. The idea of a Tacoma/Frontier sized pick up with an approximately 2500# payload is very appealing. Tacoma/Frontiers have payloads of 1400-1600# depending on cab style and if you put a small camper on one with your personal gear you've typically over the GVRW. That and the diesel giving mileage in the low to mid 20's is nice.
The Saturn showroom is not far away.
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Luke 1:04PM (3/05/2009)
Not only a small pickup with a good load, the possibility of a diesel engine is very appealing. As a former VW Jetta TDI owner, and a current owner of a Ford Ranger, I'd like to have the torque from a little 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder (bio)diesel engine in my truck. If this truck is not diesel, well, my Ranger is paid off and still runs...
Of course, I'd love a (bio)diesel-electric PHEV compact pickup truck the most, but I do realize that having cake and eating it are often mutually exclusive.
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Dave 6:57PM (3/10/2009)
yes i would worry about it being another courier/luv as far as rust, but a compact diesel? sign me up. i do wish i could get a std trans, im not a big fan of automatics. i need something small but powerfull, and this looks like the best of both worlds, i could put a 302 in my ranger, but then fuel consumption would go straight down. http://www.myspace.com/small_dog_trucking
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coloradomtnman 5:37PM (3/13/2009)
here's the thing....gm and ford have had 10yrs to come up with a small diesel (4.5 ltr) engine and have continued to build tahoes and f350s. I would much rather have a diesel f150, but now they can't develop one because of the economy. welcome mahindra. i think i'll wait for the hybrid, mainly for the tax breaks, but lets hope gasoline engines will go the way of the covered wagons.
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Lloyd 9:31PM (3/17/2009)
I think it would be a big mistake for Global to let GM sale this truck . First the price would go up and look how they do business . I want a cheap truck I can haul and go hunting in , not one that I am afraid to get dirty . Its a shame that this truck is not being built in the U.S. . Wake up America give us what we want !
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Marc 10:26PM (4/28/2009)
I have been following this truck for awhile now i think it will be a great truck i will buy one when i get back on my feet. Ford & dodge both had a great oppretunity to get a motor from cummings both backed out there loss mahindras gain
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Cam Paterson 1:09AM (5/18/2009)
I email Ford, Toyota, Nissan, etc., pleading with them to bring their world market trucks here - but they apparently don't believe there is a worthwhile market. I believe Mahindra is going to pull off a big coup when their trucks finally arrive here. I am looking forward to the "sneak peek" drive. If all is as claimed, and the established manufacturers haven't committed to a similar vehicle, I will be buying the Mahindra. And I am expecting this to be my last new vehicle purchase. What a country we are. Our "leaders" keep doing everything possible to prevent developing a competitive auto group here - mostly bowing to the UAW (read votes). And our stupid CAFE and CARB standards that prevent our taking advantage of the diesel technology that Europe has embraced and enjoys.
Bring it on Mahindra - we're waiting.
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