Small displacement diesel pickups in 2009?

[44 mpg by 2010]

Well GM, you have had your chances for a number of years now ...

It seems that one of those "foreign" badges is going to have a 2.2 liter clean common rail diesel in the US BEFORE ... 2010 !

The "mid-size trucks and SUVs will offer a blend of ruggedness, performance and affordability highlighted by a clean-burning diesel engine built with top-of-the-industry green technology from Bosch."

"The diesel-only truck will use a slightly modified version of Mahindra's "mHawk"' 2.2-liter inline four cylinder diesel engine. It's expected to have fuel economy ratings as high as 30 mpg and 1.3-ton hauling capability. Final U.S. pricing for the pickup is expected in September."

I forgot to mention that the pickup will be available as both a 2/4 door configurations with 4WD/2WD options and a 6 speed A/T.

Oh, and there is an SUV in there somewhere ... did not see a schedule though.

Well, GM (Ford or NEW Chrysler) how and when will you respond??? Ford had the chance with the Tourneo/Transist/Connect ... but the US got a gasoline engine with 33% lower mpg.

Unless GM is far ahead of where I think they are ... their only salvation is probably a "24 month waiver of import restrictions for EU vehicles with fuel economies 52 mpg(Imperial) [approximately 44 mpg(US)] combined cycle and greater" from President Obama/Congress ... PLUS help from Opel.

Otherwise, it looks like Detroit just gave away another market segment, a rather large (and previously profittable) one at that.

It is VERY SAD to see ALL of the missed opportunities ...

BTW, this will even put pressure on Honda, Hyundai/Kia, Mazda, Nissan, Saab, Toyota, and Volvo.

Sorry GM, Ford, and Chrysler, that is the nature of a competitive market place. Particularly ... when crude oil and fuel prices increase more than 50% in less than 6 months for the second time in less than 2 years.

At least that is the way I see it ...

[SullyND]

Have you seen what this monstrosity looks like?

[Olds88]

Do you seriously think that Silverado and F150 buyers are going to give up their Detroit V8's for a gutless diesel POS with interior amenities from the 40's? And a name like Mahindra is not going to help either.

[Fnomna]

Originally Posted by 44 mpg by 2010

Well, GM (Ford or NEW Chrysler) how and when will you respond???

What's wrong with the 3.0L diesel they can get in the Colorado?
http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/Colorado
http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring...ado-review.htm

COMBINED city and highway consumption 7.9 L/100km (30mpg).

[joecallimachus]

Originally Posted by Olds88

Do you seriously think that Silverado and F150 buyers are going to give up their Detroit V8's for a gutless diesel POS with interior amenities from the 40's? And a name like Mahindra is not going to help either.

Absolutly, I have a 1993 F250. I only need a pickup to drive on the beach to go fishing and carry my kayak. NO one sells a 2 passanger long bed diesel that gets 30mpg. I'll be the first one in line for the Mahindra.

[MrCritical]

No dealer network to speak of.

No trained techs on the product.

Someone will actually buy one just to get a diesel?

[44 mpg by 2010]

Originally Posted by MrCritical

No dealer network to speak of.

No trained techs on the product.

Someone will actually buy one just to get a diesel?

I believe they will. Each purchase will be the result of one OR more of MANY reasons. I think these machines will open the door for average people.

BTW, where is GMI's US 30 (or greater) mpg combined average pickup and/or suv?

How about the Holden Colorado that Fnomna mentioned?

Many people are tired of excuses and the waiting.

Will the total market shift to a Mahrindra diesel? Of course not!

Will Mahindra take market share ... you can be certain of that! The only question is how much.

Further, some of the other "foreign badges" will start to take the chance and go after additional portions of US market share within "diesel/fuel frugal/different" market segments.

Of course price point, reliablity, durability, service, function, usability, and style will ultimately determine the degree of market conquest of any of these NEW offerings. IF ... they adequately addresss a previously "unsatisfied" need/want at an acceptable price the US auto market might actually expand.

This, along with VW's diesels, are the openning action.

[member12]

well, I'm furious that we don't have the small Holden Rodeo diesel here in the Colorado, and the 4.5L diesel is on hold indefinitely.

Instead, GM seems bent on investing in smaller cars that won't sell well....some of which look downright lame (Cruze).

[CUtiger08]

Originally Posted by member12

well, I'm furious that we don't have the small Holden Rodeo diesel here in the Colorado, and the 4.5L diesel is on hold indefinitely.

Instead, GM seems bent on investing in smaller cars that won't sell well.

At the moment, small cars outsell pickup trucks in the US, and GM already has the best selling lineup of pickups overall, so that's probably a good plan.

That being said, a small and medium diesel for the various trucks would be a wise investment. Also, a good 2.5-3.5L V-6 diesel would be an excellent additional powerplant in cars/crossovers... I bet a diesel Lambda or Theta would sell quite well, and a Malibu or Lacrosse diesel would be a strong performer with great MPG's.

[dannyg]

Originally Posted by 44 mpg by 2010

"The diesel-only truck will use a slightly modified version of Mahindra's "mHawk"' 2.2-liter inline four cylinder diesel engine. It's expected to have fuel economy ratings as high as 30 mpg and 1.3-ton hauling capability. Final U.S. pricing for the pickup is expected in September.

Personally, I'd even like an AWD light-duty pickup--not a full-on 4x4--but then I drive an old Subaru Legacy and love that AWD during Maine winters. A simple, light AWD system like Subaru's shouldn't impact MPG as much as a real 4x4. A lot of people like the old small pickups, there's still a few old Isuzus and Mazda 2200s rolling around here...

[joecallimachus]

Problem is that most beches won't let you use an AWD. When you have the car transfering the power to one wheel rather than have all four rotate together you dig yourself through the sand and in about one second you are burried down to the frame. I end up pulling more than a few Subarus out of trouble each year with my F250.

And before we start this argument about 2WD, 4WD, AWD, yes if you know what you are doing and lower your tire pressure to about 15psi, you can drive on the beach, but most people don't have that skill.

[drew630]

Originally Posted by 44 mpg by 2010

1.3-ton hauling capability

I like how you put that in tonnage to make it look like it was worth a d****.

BTW, what truck are we discussing?

[tom3]

Originally Posted by drew630

I like how you put that in tonnage to make it look like it was worth a d****.

BTW, what truck are we discussing?

This company is based in India, they do have a line of small pickups and utilities. Just what we need, another bunch of cheap imports to undermine our busted economy.

[andretti]

Originally Posted by tom3

This company is based in India, they do have a line of small pickups and utilities. Just what we need, another bunch of cheap imports to undermine our busted economy.

It takes the vision of the imports to recognize a market potential (small diesel pickups). Then 7 years later GM will come out with one. We will first have to suffer 4 years of GM telling us how great and revolutionary it will be, before it finally gets here.

[44 mpg by 2010]

Originally Posted by tom3

This company is based in India, they do have a line of small pickups and utilities. Just what we need, another bunch of cheap imports to undermine our busted economy.

What is your concern?

If Ford and the NewDet2 have adequately addressed the market ... there will be NO small displacement diesel pickup or SUV sold by Mahindra!

On the other hand, if Mahindra sales are large it would be clear that Det3 has ignored an existing demand in either the "fuel frugality", Clean small displacement diesel, small pickup/SUV, or feature/fuction segments, maybe all.

Are you suggesting a "fear" that Ford and the NewDet2 might have "missed the boat" ... again?

Assuming they have "missed the boat" ... how could they, the Det3, react quickly to deliver product addressing these previously "ignored" market segments?

Ford and the NewDet2 could ask the Feds/President to TEMPORARILY (24 months) waive import restrictions and tariffs on EU certified vehicles that achieve greater than 51 mpg(Imperial) combined cycle. At least that would give Detroit a chance to compete with their EXISTING EU product temporarily!

Then, DURING the 24 month waiver, the Det3 could figure out how to build US emission/safety compliant machines IN the US.

Just an idea ...