[virage]

Another international Automaker puts up a plant in India!! Looks like those heavy import duties are doing their job. These factories bring in valuable investments and more importantly give the locals some sustenance.
Kudos to the lawmakers on this one.
On a more related note, what is HM going to do after this contract ends?. They better pump some serious cash into their R&D, if the want to avoid joining the ranks of Hummer and Pontiac.

[IshaanIan]

Does Hindustan Motors even have any intent to survive? Cause AFAIK, they are a very old company and no new parts manufactured so old equipment which means that they have paid off their debts and loans. Does this mean that since whatever they get is profit, they are just sitting on their arse doing nothing till the company finally goes bust picking up all the money they can get along the way?? Sorry for the OT

[ku69rd]

The D-Max does look interesting. Would there be any update if Toyota is planning to launch the Hilux? That is an awesome Double Cab UV. Should be a good one for semi urban folks who have farms and lead an urban life.

[CARDEEP]

Pic of the latest MU-7 (courtesy carpoint.au):



I hope this comes to India & not the older variant.

[proton]

http://www.just-auto.com/news/custom..._id136378.aspx

Quote
Isuzu so far imports its Mu7 sports utility vehicles and D Max trucks from Thailand for initial Indian sales.

The company has homologated the commercial D Max line but authorities classed it as a passenger vehicle.

Why the Innova poses a good proposition for Toyota.

Toyota does want to have a presence in India. The Innova is a good product because it can sell in viable numbers. Not so the Hilux. The latter does not fit well into the aspirational plans of the average Indian buyer. If it wants to cater to the niche market in India for the Hilux with numbers that do not justify spending on manufacturing facilities, Toyota must import it from Thailand. However, the Indian government will tax it at 103 percent duty, making it unattractive as a vehicle choice. Not so the Fortuner, which has a ready market even with the high import duty.

How can Toyota justify the expense of setting up manufacturing facilities in Thailand for the Hilux? That's because Thailand is the deemed production Centre for Asia. Most of the production is exported, generating enough sales that justify the manufacturing spend.

Is Isuzu confident it can generate enough India sales for its MU7 and Dmax? Or is India to be the production center for Isuzu products for Asia?

How will it be able to manage the transition from CBU to CKD to full localisation?

Remember, duties will tip the price of the DMax into premium SUV territory!

[vipulbatta]

Saw this MU7 in Bangalore (80ft road, Indiranagar) today. This has AP temp registration plate and seemed to have been bought by the person driving.
Will share more pics if I come across it again.
My take on this

1. Looks too large, hopefully is spacious for middle passenger and last row. Definitely longer than furtuner
2. Seems at least 5 years late in terms of the outmoded exterior looks

But, if priced well and well featured, it should sell, barring any issues with A.S.S coverage and quality.

[IshaanIan]

there are quite a few of these here in Hyderabad. Really imposing and scary :/ unfortunately I haven't had the chance to sit in one yet

[vipulbatta]

Saw on Isuzu India website they currently have dealers only in HYD and Chennai!
On a related note, have to say, the Isuzu Website is really very poor. No vehicle specs or feature info at all. Seems more like a corporate website as of now.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by vipulbatta

But, if priced well and well featured, it should sell, barring any issues with A.S.S coverage and quality.

In 2WD guise it is priced higher than Fortuner 4WD & Pajerp sport 4WD and has less features than both of them. To add to that they have a lousey website which contains no information except some tall claim about them being the best diesel engine maker. They have one dealer in Hyderabad and one in Coimbatore.

Just curious what their strategy for India is...

[vipulbatta]

Can we expect an official TBHP review soon? Or anyone done a TD yet?

[skyline gtr r34]

I think the MU-7 is available only in BS3 and will be available in BS4 soon

[wanderernomad]

What about the double cab D Max pickup? Are they being sold as well as the thread seems to be only about the MU 7 already a dead duck due to killer pricing. Only the pickups seem to be interesting being sub 10 lakhs.

[CARDEEP]

The latest MU-7, i.e. MU-X is reviewed by Carpoint-Australia, (it's launched Down-Under). Please peruse their review report:

http://www.carpoint.com.au/reviews/2...h-review-39812

Salient Points:
>> Serious off-road ability
>> Practical, spacious cabin
>> Gutsy 3.0-litre engine
>> Roly-poly handling
>> Ute-style interior

[sebastianjoseph]

Spotted an Isuzu DMAX being tested by ARAI today. The vehicle has surprisingly low Ground Clearance. Along with the DMAX there was a Mahindra GENIO and another vehicle from Ashok Leyland. The yellow and blue vehicle in the second picture is the Ashok Leyland one.

[CARDEEP]

Isuzu rolls-out locally assembled MU-7 SUV - ACI

http://www.autocarindia.com/auto-new...uv-367157.aspx