Ssangyong Eyes US Sales: Mahindra Non-Launch Explained?
One of the many theories for Mahindra’s absolute botching of its long-anticipated US launch is that the Indian automaker was too busy last year acquiring its diesel-4×4 soulmate, Ssangyong. Both firms got their start building Jeep CJs, both specialize diesel-powered vehicles, but while Mahindra focuses on trucks and old-school SUVs for the developing world, Ssangyong has more experience with crossovers and MPVs as well as sales in mature markets like Europe. Together, they make an Asian invasion of diesel-powered 4x4s far more likely to succeed in the US, and Automotive News [sub] reports that the plans are already in the works. According to Chairman Yoo Lee [via AN [ sub]], Ssangyong sees itself selling about 20k units in the US
two-to-three years from now – but within five years at the latest.
If true, this explains why Mahindra backed out of its deal with US distributor Global Vehicles: rather than cobbling together a sales network for pickups alone, Mahindra needs to plan for an independent dealer network in the states that’s capable of selling Mahindra pickups and SUVs, Ssangyong’s brand-new Korando crossover (reviews here and here) and possibly even REVA EVs. Think of it has one-stop shopping for all your developing-world 4×4, diesel and tiny electric car needs.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
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If or when Mahindra starts selling in the US, I hope they market a bare bones utility vehicle more like their old jeep clones than the present Jeeps
Whatever mild interest I had in the Mahindra pickup has long since been extinguished by the amateur hour farce that they have played out in public here. The none too good fuel mileage and nagging unease that I had with taking a chance on a pickup built to a third world standard (at a developed world price) has pretty much killed any enthusiasm for the thing. Best guess- IF (and right now its a pretty big if) Mahindra ever arrives here,they will sell a few thousand trucks to curiosity seekers and off-the -beaten-path types and then fold up their tent and go home. Owners will find that parts are impossible to get or impossibly priced and just leave them to rust away in their yards.They'll be like the cheap Chinese scooters that you buy that have no spares or service support.There are literally hundreds of thousands of those in garages for lack of parts. OTOH, it's probably good that they have bollixed this so bad. It has given potential purchasers like me the time to stop and think before taking the plunge.
That video clip is a great reminder of how good diesel is for off road stuff but the ground clearance is only just enough for that lame little hill...