Review: Mahindra Scorpio Pik-up Mhawk from USA by US journal

sidindica · 27th August 2009, 22:00

the test can be read here:

Taj Mahauler: We Drive Mahindra's Diesel Pik-Up - PickupTrucks.com News

mohit · 27th August 2009, 22:16

Key points: Ability, Agility and Price. I guess agility is acceptable so what remains to be seen is if it can live up to the load carrying and towing capacity claims.

As someone commented on that review, price it below $20K and it just might become popular! A small 140 HP diesel truck is a true niche product.

Nitin · 27th August 2009, 22:29

"The Pik-Up recently got a styling overhaul that’s very close to how the TR20 pickup will look, but it hasn’t lost the boxy profile and fussy design elements that gives it the distinct vibe of a third-world hauler. It looks like the Japanese imports that hit these shores during the 1960s-70s."

Now this part really turns against Mahindra. The design does look dated!
But if you read the comments posted below the article, there are quite a few people who are following this closely and who seem eager to get one of these pick-up trucks. Impressive!
Like 1 person said, if this is priced below $20K, it'll be a killer!

mohit · 27th August 2009, 22:34

The problem with the design is that the front end and the cabin has been designed with an SUV in mind but the pickup bed has been added as an afterthought. It kind of loses the plot somwehere.

anekho · 27th August 2009, 22:56

If I needed a pickup in the US, I'd buy a mahindra proudly

Can't wait to see how the market takes to it.

cheers

srishiva · 27th August 2009, 23:02

Doesn't the pik-up wheelbase look small? Extending it would have given a better look and balance IMO

raj_5004 · 28th August 2009, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by srishiva

Doesn't the pik-up wheelbase look small? Extending it would have given a better look and balance IMO

its already extended.

4x4addict · 28th August 2009, 09:44

According to the article, US version of mhawk 2.2 to make 140 bhp 325nm/33kgm torque. Sweet !!

siddharthdeb · 28th August 2009, 14:27

Mahindra Pickup Truck.

Going Global. With the positive reviews these mags finally an Indian Manufactures who has come of age with products that work in USA which traditionally has not been very kind in reviewing indian cars

Mahindra Diesel Pickup Truck, Reviewed

Taj Mahauler: We Drive Mahindra's Diesel Pik-Up - PickupTrucks.com News

KUDOS to M&M

McLaren Rulez · 28th August 2009, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by raj_5004

its already extended.

If they did extend it, then why didn't they extend fully? It looks a bit weird with that overhang

anjan_c2007 · 30th August 2009, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidindica

the test can be read here:

Taj Mahauler: We Drive Mahindra's Diesel Pik-Up - PickupTrucks.com News

Saw the link: These people test and give that kinda "third world looks" comments which sounds strange.
Some facts stated are true no doubt regarding the interior plastics quality. The NVH levels also get their comments as intruding into the passenger cabin. That can't be agreed upon as the NVH is almost at par with the low end SUV's by other carmakers. And the Chevrolet Tavera has a pushrod diesel at this age. I may be corrected if wrong. The Tavera's engine is archiac no doubt.

raj_5004 · 30th August 2009, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLaren Rulez

If they did extend it, then why didn't they extend fully? It looks a bit weird with that overhang

thats because only the body is extended, not the chassis.

extending the chassis means the price would go further up & i think mahindra's USP in that market would be & should be its price. if it aint cheap enough, nobody will buy it.

GTO · 31st August 2009, 14:17

Did anyone smile upon seeing that picture of a good ol' Mahindra on American roads? I did

. I gotta admit, that's a pretty unbiased review.

The bed's pretty useable according to the reviewer, that in a nutshell will decide the success of this pick up in teh States. Whoever is going to buy an unknown foreign brand will do so only thanks to its useability & economy (price + fuel efficiency). It's a known fact that Indian UVs are engineering to take 2x - 3x the officially rated payload. Blame it on the Indian habit of overloading. Mahindra's are damn robust thanks to the simplicity of their engineering. Of course, the onus is on Mahindra to price it well. The Ranger is pretty much the only other small truck on sale in the States. Importantly, its built by Ford which has an unsurpassed reputation when it comes to pickups (Thanks to the F150). Incidentally, a substantial number of sales could come from the very market segment that buys Mahindra tractors. They'd do well in exploiting that distribution chain. I bet Mahindra's American pikups are going to be way superior in quality to what they sell here. Unfortunate when you think of it.

Who's going to be watching this closely? Yup, Tata!

A related thread I'd created some time back:

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Consider this: They have already appointed 140 dealerships....all of them primarily in rural / semi-urban settings. Rives Carlberg has been hired to take care of their marketing / brand presence. Among others HP, KFC and Segway feature on their list of clients. Recently, they have doubled their capacity in response to a favourable sales chart. They are also to enter the Canadian market soon.

I think Mahindra is on to bigger things as I doubt Anand Mahindra would be happy with just selling tractors in the States. What is their current product range and who will it appeal to? Certainly the Scorpios and crude pick-ups wont do well in urban America because they arent refined enough. But no one can argue that they do the job well. And if they can be overladen and yet survive on our inexistent roads, they can surely do better on American farmlands! And no one will be able to match Mahindra in the costing of these rugged workhorses.

If there is something that Mahindra does well, its build tractors. And I think this American foray is just the start of larger things to come.

Mahindra USA Website

DHABHAR.BEHRAM · 31st August 2009, 14:26

Dear GTO and all - thank you for all your good comments.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

vasudeva · 2nd September 2009, 14:42

As per recent info, this pickup will be delayed by 3 months to Feb 2010. This is according to Larry Daniel, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Global Vehicles U.S.A. Inc. This company is M&M US distributor. M&M had to delay it from 2009 to ccommodate nearly 200 product changes recommended by US vehicle consultants and retailers. These changes are now being made. Among the product changes are a redesigned hood and rear end and a new grille.

The base pickup has two doors and two-wheel drive and will have a sticker price of $22,000 to $25,000. The top-of-the-line four-door model with four-wheel drive and leather seats will be priced between $24,000 and $27,000.

27th August 2009, 22:00	#1
sidindica Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 4,890 Thanked: 8,101 Times	Review: Mahindra Scorpio Pik-up Mhawk from USA by US journal the test can be read here: Taj Mahauler: We Drive Mahindra's Diesel Pik-Up - PickupTrucks.com News
	() Thanks

27th August 2009, 22:16	#2
mohit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto / Kurukshetra Posts: 677 Thanked: 168 Times	Key points: Ability, Agility and Price. I guess agility is acceptable so what remains to be seen is if it can live up to the load carrying and towing capacity claims. As someone commented on that review, price it below $20K and it just might become popular! A small 140 HP diesel truck is a true niche product.
	() Thanks

27th August 2009, 22:29	#3
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	"The Pik-Up recently got a styling overhaul that’s very close to how the TR20 pickup will look, but it hasn’t lost the boxy profile and fussy design elements that gives it the distinct vibe of a third-world hauler. It looks like the Japanese imports that hit these shores during the 1960s-70s." Now this part really turns against Mahindra. The design does look dated! But if you read the comments posted below the article, there are quite a few people who are following this closely and who seem eager to get one of these pick-up trucks. Impressive! Like 1 person said, if this is priced below $20K, it'll be a killer!
	() Thanks

27th August 2009, 22:34	#4
mohit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto / Kurukshetra Posts: 677 Thanked: 168 Times	The problem with the design is that the front end and the cabin has been designed with an SUV in mind but the pickup bed has been added as an afterthought. It kind of loses the plot somwehere. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

27th August 2009, 22:56	#5
anekho Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: . Posts: 1,995 Thanked: 684 Times	If I needed a pickup in the US, I'd buy a mahindra proudly Can't wait to see how the market takes to it. cheers
	() Thanks

27th August 2009, 23:02	#6
srishiva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,375 Thanked: 2,256 Times	Doesn't the pik-up wheelbase look small? Extending it would have given a better look and balance IMO
	() Thanks

28th August 2009, 09:44	#8
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,483 Thanked: 4,529 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (5)	140 bhp/325 nm Mhawk According to the article, US version of mhawk 2.2 to make 140 bhp 325nm/33kgm torque. Sweet !!
	() Thanks

28th August 2009, 14:27	#9
siddharthdeb BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 157 Thanked: 61 Times	taj-mahauler Mahindra Pickup Truck. Going Global. With the positive reviews these mags finally an Indian Manufactures who has come of age with products that work in USA which traditionally has not been very kind in reviewing indian cars Mahindra Diesel Pickup Truck, Reviewed Taj Mahauler: We Drive Mahindra's Diesel Pik-Up - PickupTrucks.com News KUDOS to M&M
	() Thanks

31st August 2009, 14:26	#14
DHABHAR.BEHRAM Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 3,060 Thanked: 5,353 Times	Dear GTO and all - thank you for all your good comments. Best regards, Behram Dhabhar
	() Thanks

2nd September 2009, 14:42	#15
vasudeva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 2,221 Thanked: 212 Times	As per recent info, this pickup will be delayed by 3 months to Feb 2010. This is according to Larry Daniel, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Global Vehicles U.S.A. Inc. This company is M&M US distributor. M&M had to delay it from 2009 to ccommodate nearly 200 product changes recommended by US vehicle consultants and retailers. These changes are now being made. Among the product changes are a redesigned hood and rear end and a new grille. The base pickup has two doors and two-wheel drive and will have a sticker price of $22,000 to $25,000. The top-of-the-line four-door model with four-wheel drive and leather seats will be priced between $24,000 and $27,000.
	() Thanks