Interesting concept, terrible name.
AUTOS: Indian Pickup Due For U.S. Sale Written by: Bob Golfen Date: 07/16/2009 - 02:59 PM
A compact diesel pickup truck made in India and named Appalachia will arrive at 339 U.S. dealerships later this year, the first major effort by an Indian automaker to market a vehicle in the United States.
Available in two- or four-wheel drive, the pickup made by Mahindra Group is about the size of a Toyota Tacoma and powered by a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine developed by Bosch, with 145 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque.
Fuel mileage is estimated at 30 to 35 mpg for diesel pickup, which would be the only one available to consumers in its compact class. A diesel-hybrid version is planned for 2010.
The engine is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The cargo box is 7.5 feet long, and the truck is rated for a 1.3-ton capacity.
The price tag will be in the $22,000 range, and the truck is fully equipped with safety and convenience features, according to Mahindra, whose North American operations are based in Atlanta. The Indian company has imported tractors into the United States for more than 10 years.
The truck comes with a four-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Appalachia will be available either two- or four-door configurations. Final assembly of the trucks will be at a plant in Ohio, according to Mahindra.
Automakers in the emerging economies of India and China are poised to enter the U.S. auto market with their products, putting even more pressure on domestic and Japanese companies.
