[AWD]

Originally Posted by vinod_nookala

M&M bids fairwell to Major and Commander series of vehicles on 30th of September.

A very-very late burial indeed. The old have to make way for the young in due time, most of the time is lost here!

[sreejeshmp]

2 Days back I got the call from dealer that I will not get the new major .
What to do ? Its Mahindra and "Nothing else will do".I missed the Jeep One of the most beautiful Vehicle in the world which is maintained by Mahindra and still the chassis of M&M Name.

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

@Vinod:

Will the pick up range also now come with the NGT520 rather than KMT90?

Yes heard so! Attaching a few pics of this very emotional moment. I am told the workers cried when the last one was being rolled out.

Spike

[KMT]

Although it is an icon, it has done its time and it needs to be given a proper burial once and for all. There is a reason that no one else in the world makes them anymore!

If the boys at Ford had M&M philosophy we would still have been driving BS4 Model-T's.

I for one (after owning a few CJ's) hope it does not get reincarnated.

Whilst I am sure I will end up buying a Thar, I am dissapointed that M&M are not able to evolve the body/safety the way Jeep has evolved the Wrangler.

Why do we still have to depend on yankee brains & designs from 50 yrs ago?

Come on M&M give us some new wine in a new bottle like the Scorpio for this segment.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

Yes heard so! Attaching a few pics of this very emotional moment. I am told the workers cried when the last one was being rolled out.

Spike

My dad would cry if he head the news too. For whatever reason, he always picked the CJ5xx/Major over the MM540 which used to upset me a lot as a kid since I thought and still think the MM540 is the coolest Jeep out of the Mahindra stable.

Glad to hear that the pick up will/most likely come with the NGT520. I have a pick up 4x4 booked at kottayam. The waiting period is 7 months !!

[svsantosh]

Is this officially the LAST FLAT FENDER'd jeep in the world? Sigh.!

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Hopefully not, someone has already initiated the first steps towards ensuring this.

Spike

[svsantosh]

Cant be Pratheesh, the 540/550/thar are all round fenders... IIRC the Major was last of the legend... I could be wrong...

[DirtyDan]

Originally Posted by KMT

Although it is an icon, it has done its time and it needs to be given a proper burial once and for all. There is a reason that no one else in the world makes them anymore!

In the U.S. Jeep corporation replaced them for a number of reasons, including inept driving by owners leading to litigation. No one in the world makes them any more? Stayed tuned to this channel.

Originally Posted by KMT

If the boys at Ford had M&M philosophy we would still have been driving BS4 Model-T's.

Model-T? Newer cars are devolving back to this. Light weight, energy efficient, small engine, big diameter tyres. Have you ever ridden in a model-T? I have. They are a total joy!

Originally Posted by KMT

Why do we still have to depend on yankee brains & designs from 50 yrs ago?

Come on M&M give us some new wine in a new bottle like the Scorpio for this segment.

Scorpios and many other cars internationally depend on key yankee drive train components, such as differentials, that were first designed and implemented more than 50 years ago. I guess the theory is "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Mahindra may come up with something innovative yet. But they may do it by first capitalizing on the large international retro market.

[vinod_nookala]

KMT,
I agree that this jeep was old, but was extremely effective! This is the precise reason why newer generation vehicles like Sumo Spacio and Trax Challenger (comparitively) couldnt even break this market. None had the go any where capability and lower cost of maintenance of this jeep.
M&M would have made a wrangler long back provided consumers here are ready to pay for it. Nothing beats simplicity and effectiveness of CL550 major. I salute this true legend.

Change is constant...old must go, new must come in, however good old might be!

[shankar.balan]

Lots of people in rural areas appear to be buying the Mahindra Bolero/ Invader with 4x2 or 4x4 as a replacement for the old gen CJ 500/ MM540 and in preference to the Major.

I personally think the Invader is quite comfy too, in comparison - because at this moment I can barely fit in the Major and my legs stick out at odd angles.

Terrible ergonomics and very uncomfortable to drive for lengths of time. The controls and things feel like they are made of wool or something - they are so terribly unresponsive.

I recently tried getting into and sitting in an old Willys LHD vintage jeep. I couldnt even fit into it without risk of serious and permanent internal damage.

I wonder how the US Army chaps who in general were much bigger than us Indians managed when these jeeps were standard issue for them.

Despite being a person who loves jeeps and similar go anywhere vehicles, I still think it is a good thing that the Major and the old gen Jeep CJ from M&M is being shut down.

I think that our rural populace deserves better, higher quality, more ergonomic, more comfortable, safer and yet functional and tough transport which they are able to procure at a fair price.

[jeeva]

This is indeed a sad moment, however practical and forward thinking we be. Certain things cannot just be replaced with something else, however good the latter maybe.

Perhaps the Thar with the MDI3200 TC and the NGT520 GB later would do justice. (provided its launched at a reasonable price).

[KMT]

Dirty Dan
The old soldier has served his time well, he has earned his retirement. Let him go and enjoy his retirement. Classics are better when you cherish/polish something that is old. Somehow buying a 2010 'retro classic' does not seem quite right.

Vinod
I take your point about economics, you are best placed to make that call as you know the facts. However, you guys have done it with the Bolero and Scorpio and have made them work in the mkt.

As a long time CJ owner, I am looking forward not to have to put up with the ergonomics/safety of CJ/MM for this 'captive market' as M&M is the sole provider.

This is not a lifestyle vehicle for us but a necessity and currently only our driver has to endure it. I would love to be able to enjoy a soft top 4x4 Jeep without having to be Rambo, Thar has high expectations to live up to.

Cheers

[jeepster]

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

Hopefully not, someone has already initiated the first steps towards ensuring this

may be a new classic with NGCS, NEF CRDe & NGT530.

(in simple words a flat fender THAR)

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

^^ A 80" WB monster would have been possible, provided rear propeller shaft was eliminated, this driveline is too long for a SWB.

Attaching a pic of the last KMT90 rolled from the Transmission Product Unit.

Spike