Tag: mahindra

Report: Angry dealers sue Mahindra

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Work, India

Mahindra Pik Up

Mahindra Pik Up – Click above for high-res image gallery

The dust-up between Indian automaker Mahindra and its jilted would-be American dealers is set to get a little nastier. According to Automotive News, several dealers have joined a lawsuit against their former partner that seeks both a refund for any fees paid to the truckmaker as well as punitive damages. One Jerry Ackerman is at the center of the suit. He paid $450,000 for three Mahindra franchises and now alleges that both Mahindra & Mahindra and Global Vehicles U.S.A. are in breach of contract. Ackerman’s lawsuit is now seeking class action status.

Automotive News reports that the lawsuit could eventually represent as many as 350 dealers who signed up for franchises in the States. So far, around 45 dealers have shown interest in joining Ackerman’s effort. Meanwhile, another 70 dealers recently met in Atlanta to discuss potential legal action against Mahindra. That lot has decided to file grievances against Mahindra with individual state motor vehicle agencies.

As you may recall, Mahindra originally contracted with Atlanta-based Global Vehicles U.S.A. to distribute its pickups in America, but later backed out of the deal. That left Global Vehicles U.S.A. and its dealers in a lurch. Global Vehicles U.S.A. initially filed suit against Mahindra but later dropped the effort.

The future prospects of Mahindra’s diesel TR20 and TR40 pickups in North America remains uncertain.

Angry dealers sue Mahindra originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mahindra TR40 pickup only good for 19/21 mpg?

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Diesel

Mahindra Pik-Up

Mahindra Pik-Up – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s hard to understand how Indian truck/SUV maker Mahindra could miss its fuel economy goal by one-third. Mahindra’s supposed U.S. distributor, Global Vehicles of Marietta, Ga. (which has been embroiled in an opera of lawsuits, name-calling and musical chairs management concerning its deal with the Indian manufacturer), has had an oft-stated goal of 30 mpg highway fuel economy for the clean diesel truck.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, however, the four-wheel-drive Mahindra TR40 crew-cab pickup with a four-cylinder diesel engine and automatic transmission has been rated by the EPA at only 19 mpg city/21 mpg highway. By comparison, the 4×4 2011 Dodge Dakota with a 3.7 liter V6 engine is rated at 14/18. The TR40’s miserable highway mileage doesn’t even match the Ford F-150 3.7 liter 4×2, which is rated at 16 city/23 highway. The 4×4 Ford Ranger, like the aforementioned Dodge, is rated at 14 city/18 highway. Mahindra’s compact pickup truck offers a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a payload of 2,765 pounds.

Mahindra and GV had been counting on the fuel economy angle to get on truck buyers’ radar. But the current differential between the Mahindra TR40 diesel truck’s mileage and that of the gas-powered competition is unlikely to turn heads or create headlines. Global Vehicles told PickupTrucks.com: “Good fuel economy will be an important part of the truck’s appeal, and we’re eager to see the fuel economy for all of the models, especially the two-door, two-wheel-drive model, which Mahindra told us to expect would achieve close to 30 mpg.”

It’s hard to imagine Mahindra squeezing out nine additional highway miles per gallon just by stripping out the 4-wheel-drive system.

Gallery: Mahindra Pik-Up

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Continue reading Mahindra TR40 pickup only good for 19/21 mpg?

Mahindra TR40 pickup only good for 19/21 mpg? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mahindra reportedly inks deal to buy Ssangyong for $463M

Filed under: Etc., Earnings/Financials, India, South Korea

Mahindra logoIndian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra has officially sunk its teeth into South Korean automaker Ssangyong to the tune of $463.6 million. For that low, low price Mahindra has effectively walked away with a 70 percent controlling stake in Ssangyong through the purchase of newly released shares in the company and existing corporate bonds. The move follows up on a pact to acquire Ssangyong that Mahindra signed earlier this year, and according to The Wall Street Journal, the two companies look to close the deal by March of next year.

According to Mahindra, the match is a partnership made in heaven, with the Indian carmaker able to supply both cash and marketing grunt that should mesh well with Ssangyong’s technological prowess.

We’re guessing that the South Korean carmaker is just glad to have someone to help pull it out of the throws of bankruptcy.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal – sub. req.]

Mahindra reportedly inks deal to buy Ssangyong for $463M originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mahindra introduction to U.S. ‘indefinitely delayed’

Filed under: Budget, Truck, Government/Legal, India

Mahindra and Mahindra Pik-Up

Mahindra Pik-Up – Click above for high-res image gallery

We apparently won’t be seeing any Mahindra trucks on U.S. roads any time soon. The company has announced that it has no date in mind for its American introduction, and that as of right now, its progress into this market is indefinitely delayed. The hangup resides in an ever-growing legal battle between the Indian company and its almost-was importer here in the States, Global Vehicles USA. As you’ll likely recall, GV USA claims that Mahindra improperly terminated its contract with them earlier this year, noting that the automaker now wants to sell vehicles directly to U.S. customers instead of going through a middle man.

Mahindra, meanwhile, says that it doesn’t want to get into a “war of words” with its former importer. Also, the company has made it clear that it still wants to break into the American market. How exactly it plans to do so is still somewhat murky, however.

In the meantime, Global Vehicles USA has filed an injunction in federal court claiming breach of contract and urging the court to bar Mahindra vehicles from entering the states in the future.

One thing’s for sure, this mess has yet to completely unravel, and none of it bodes well for the availability of inexpensive diesel-powered pickups in America.

Gallery: Mahindra Pik-Up

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[Source: Associated Press via Journal Gazette via PickupTrucks]

Report: Mahindra introduction to U.S. ‘indefinitely delayed’ originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mahindra Bolero ‘Attitude’ delivers on its name

Filed under: SUV, Truck, India, Off-Road

Mahindra Bolero Attitude

Mahindra Bolero – Click above for image gallery

It’s been 10 years since Mahindra & Mahindra reworked its Armada SUV into a more civil machine. The company renamed its off-road machine the Bolero at that time, and since then, the beast has found favor with the police, military and regular citizens who need a little off-road prowess in their daily commute. To celebrate the nameplate’s 10-year anniversary, Mahindra has rolled out a new 2011 version of the truck, complete with one very interesting exterior design. From the looks of things, the truck has all of the necessary goodies for tackling the trails of India, including a wicked light bar, a Mahindra logo-shaped snorkel, tow loops and yes, even a pick-axe.

According to Mahindra, the Bolero is the best-selling SUV in India. The truck sold 70,554 units last year, becoming the first SUV to break the 70,000 barrier in India in the process. It’s easy to see why. We love this thing almost in spite of ourselves. It looks like a mad scientist somewhere cooked up the DNA of a Hummer H2, Jeep Wrangler and a Land Rover Defender only to come out with this Tonka truck. Hit the jump for one very entertaining press release.

Gallery: Mahindra Bolero

[Source: Mahindra]

Continue reading Mahindra Bolero ‘Attitude’ delivers on its name

Mahindra Bolero ‘Attitude’ delivers on its name originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mahindra brushes back Global Vehicles, “rejects any attempt to order” pickups

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Etc., India

Mahindra Pik-Up

Mahindra Pik-Up – Click above for high-res image gallery

The automotive soap opera that is Mahindra keeps on turning. Today, the Indian automaker issued a statement regarding the claims put forth by Global Vehicles. Mahindra accuses GV of “engaging in PR theatrics while pursuing an unnecessary lawsuit.” It states that the contract with Global Vehicles expired and Mahindra is free to pursue other means of bringing its Pik-Up to its network of waiting U.S. dealers. It has effectively rejected Global Vehicles’ $35 million order. Mahindra further claims that Global Vehicles is working hard to damage its reputation while disrupting its attempts to bring the vehicle stateside.

Honestly, we would love to see this little truck land in dealer lots here, but we don’t know how this drama will play out. Both sides are pointing fingers and we expect name calling to soon follow. Either way, this doesn’t appear to a very productive way of expediting vehicles to showrooms, now does it?

Read the full statement after the jump.

Gallery: Mahindra Pik-Up

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[Source: Mahindra]

Continue reading Mahindra brushes back Global Vehicles, “rejects any attempt to order” pickups

Mahindra brushes back Global Vehicles, “rejects any attempt to order” pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #197 – F-150 powertrains, GM diesel car, hatchbacks, Mahindra, Bugatti Galibier and Nissan’s sold-out Leaf

Filed under: Podcasts, Bugatti, Cadillac, Ford, GM, Jaguar, Kia, Volkswagen, Electric

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Steven Ewing joins podcast regulars Dan and Chris for Episode #197 of the Autoblog Podcast. Items we cover are the newly expanded powertrain selections for the Ford F-150, a potential diesel-powered car from General Motors, the apparently heating-up American love affair with hatchbacks, the just-out-of-reach Mahindra Pik-Up, the definitely unattainable Bugatti Galibier and the rush to pre-order the Nissan Leaf. At one hour, twenty-two minutes, it’s not quite as epic as last week’s extravaganza, and we wrap up by responding to some of your feedback. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #197 – F-150 powertrains, GM diesel car, hatchbacks, Mahindra, Bugatti Galibier and Nissan’s sold-out Leaf

In the Autoblog Garage:

Cadillac CTS
Volkswagen Tiguan
Jaguar XKR Convertible

News:

  • F-150 Ecoboost Drive
  • GM will sell a diesel car in the U.S.
  • Hatchbacks: Who says Americans don’t buy ’em?
  • Despite uproar, Global Vehicles places its initial order from Mahindra
  • Bugatti Galibier coming for 2013
  • Nissan full up with Leaf pre-orders

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Steven Ewing

Runtime: 1:22:14

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Autoblog Podcast #197 – F-150 powertrains, GM diesel car, hatchbacks, Mahindra, Bugatti Galibier and Nissan’s sold-out Leaf originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Global Vehicles announces $35M initial order of Mahindra pickups for U.S.

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Earnings/Financials

Mahindra Pik-up

Mahindra Pik-Up – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mahindras road to the United States has been interesting so far, to say the least. It’s changed the trucks model name, seen delays in a target launch date, caused delays and broken contracts.

Many here in the states are eagerly awaiting the arrival of an official on-sale date for the Pik-up. The biggest group waiting for that announcement might just be Global Vehicles, the U.S. distributor for the little truck with potential big appeal. Global Vehicles has already invested nearly $100 million to bring the vehicle to the US and now they’ve placed an initial order for the Mahindra pickups to the tune of $35 million.

John Perez, CEO of Global Vehicles, says:

“We are proud of the sales and service network we created to support the launch of Mahindra vehicles, and we look forward to bringing American buyers something truly unique in the marketplace – rugged, high-quality, clean diesel pickup trucks that can achieve nearly 30 miles per gallon. Our dealers are all seasoned auto industry professionals who will treat customers with honesty, integrity and respect. We built our business on these bedrock principles, which should be the foundation of every business relationship.”

Perez goes on to state that he believes Global Vehicles will prevail in the pending arbitration case against Mahindra. This would force Mahindra to honor its agreement with GV. The offending clause states that Mahindra could walk away from the deal if its truck did not pass EPA testing by a certain date. Mahindra claimed this last-minute contract change was to protect against potential losses if its truck didn’t receive the EPA certification. The deadline dates came up three times, with Perez’s company extending the deadline each time. The most recent time passed on June 11. Ten days after that deadline, Mahindra announced its vehicles were certified for sale and declared its relationship with GV now void.

It will be very interesting to watch this play out. The Pik-Up is supposed to be an affordable and capable, fuel-efficient truck which could be a perfect fit for many U.S. buyers. It’s clear that Global Vehicles remains extremely committed to its investment and hopefully we see the distinctly-styled trucklet roaming our streets in the near future.

Full press release available after the jump.

Gallery: Mahindra Pik-Up

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[Source: Global Vehicles]

Continue reading Global Vehicles announces $35M initial order of Mahindra pickups for U.S.

Global Vehicles announces $35M initial order of Mahindra pickups for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mahindra intentionally voided contract with U.S. distributor

Filed under: Budget, Truck, Government/Legal

Mahindra Pik-Up

Formerly just a suspicion that had been whispered about, Global Vehicles USA CEO John Perez has uttered it out loud: Mahindra is thought to have delayed the EPA certification of its Pik-Up so that it could break its contract with GV USA. For four years now, GV has had a contract be the exclusive distributor of the Pik-Up in the United States. However, now that the trucklet has finally received EPA approval, Mahindra voided its contract with GV and hasn’t announced any alternative.

Perez says the issue goes back to a sunset clause that Mahindra requested be inserted into the original contract. The belief at the time was that this was for Mahindra to protect itself: if the trucks weren’t ready for the U.S. within three years then everyone could walk away and Mahindra wouldn’t be open to lawsuits.

According to Perez, the Pik-Up was ready for certification late last year – before the end of the sunset clause – and that the delay from then to now was engineered by Mahindra to break its contract. Reportedly, Mahindra wanted to alter some of the dealer arrangements with GV, and when GV declined, Mahindra put up a wall and refused to communicate. GV felt compelled to sue, but Mahindra went ahead with voiding the contract based on exceeding the time frame. What a mess.

We’re no attorneys, but we’d be surprised if this didn’t hold up Pik-Up sales for quite some time while the U.S. court system – and arbitration in London – gums things up further. Who knew such a little truck could haul so much subterfuge and skullduggery?

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: Mahindra intentionally voided contract with U.S. distributor originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mahindra says it has terminated U.S. dealer agreement

Filed under: Budget, Truck, Government/Legal

Mahindra Pik-Up

Mahindra Pik-Up – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mahindra’s four-year saga with Global Vehicles is taking so many turns, it should get a telenovela on Univision. When we recently posted that the Pik-Up finally received EPA certification, GV and its dealer network were excited and ready to go. However, commenters on that post noted a message on Mahindra’s site indicating that the company’s relationship with GV was kaput.

Mahindra hasn’t said a word since, but Global Vehicles and the dealers have let folks know that they aren’t impressed and that they have no idea what Mahindra thinks it’s doing. Global Vehicles’ official response was, “such attempted termination is invalid under applicable laws of the United States and the State of Georgia, something which Mahindra continues to disregard.” And a dealer who’s got a showroom ready to sell Pik-Ups in December said, “If they’re still coming in December of this year like they’ve said they are, they’re coming through my dealership, and that’s all there is to it.”

GV has taken the unusual step of initiating arbitration in the United Kingdom, in the belief that legal action here could further delay the anticipated retail sale date. We’ll wait to hear what Mahindra has to say on the matter, and we’re sure that the folks waiting to buy a TR20 or TR40 Pik-Up hope Mahinda talks soon — and with some good news this time.

Gallery: Mahindra Pik-Up

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[Source: Automotive News – sub req’d, via Motor Trend]

Report: Mahindra says it has terminated U.S. dealer agreement originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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