Mahindra pick-ups and Scorpio to hit US markets

Making their first appearance in the American market place, Mahindra all-diesel pickups and sport utility vehicles from India will soon be in the US for sale.

A report said Team Imports will begin importing for sale at its Team Mahindra dealership. Mahindra's vehicles with their four-wheel drive automatic turbo diesel engines, good fuel economy and reasonable pricing have helped Team Imports to become one of the company's 200 U.S. franchisees, added the report.

The Mahindra pickups will debut in the US by 2008 end. The company's SUV, the immensely successful Scorpio also will follow the pick ups to the US, by early 2009, it has been reported. The basic Mahindra SUV will have a $23,100 price tag. M&M currently sells its SUVs in Europe, Australia and South Africa and is the fourth-largest tractor producer in the US. It has set up tractor manufacturing plants in Calhoun, and Red Bluff in the US, said a report.

The report added that the Team Mahindra dealerships will have mechanics trained to repair and maintain the imported vehicles. The company has invested in the special tools for certain procedures. The dealership also will carry a stock of replacement parts.

The Mahindras are making sure everything's right quality-wise, to get it right in the US market. Significantly, going by the JD Powers ranking, the Mahindras are in the top five among the 20-plus brands sold in the US.