US Pricing?

[MahindraPlanet]

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I posted a chart this morning showing the Australian retail pricing with a conversion to USD. I also created a column to show what the conversion looks like with an additional 25% tacked on. That puts a TR20 4x2 at $23,559...

Mahindra Planet: US Mahindra Pickup Pricing: Clues from Down Under

What do you guys think will be realistic?

[sirmombo]

I think a TR20 4X2 should start at about $20K and a TR40 4X4 should start at $23K with a fully loaded deluxe interior TR40 4X4 going for around $26K.

For $27K I can get a new Toyota Tacoma 4X4 with a V6. The Mahindra will get much better mileage and have more payload, but the Toyota has higher towing capacity, a more powerful engine, almost certainly a nicer interior, probably better crash test ratings, and less controversial styling. If the Mahindra is more expensive is more expensive than a Tacoma, people will start thinking they can get a lot of gas for the price difference.

The Mahindra trucks may be the best trucks in the U.S. market, but they won't be able to demand high prices, at least not in the beginning.

They have no name recognition or track record. People aren't going to research how they perform in Australia to make a guess as to their reliability. It may take several years before we know how they hold up to the salt of the snow belt.

They will have a very small dealer network. Many people will be hesitant to buy a vehicle when the nearest dealer is 50+ miles away. Will my local mechanic be able to work on it? How long will it take to get parts? Can I get parts at my local NAPA?

The price needs to reflect that people are taking a certain amount of risk by purchasing one of their trucks.

Hyundai is doing quite well in the U.S. largely because they offer a very good warranty and low prices. I think Mahindra should offer a standard 100K powertrain and 60K bumper to bumper warranty. The Honda Insight and Toyota Prius were initially sold at a loss to get market acceptance. I think Mahindra should consider the same.

[DickIsGone]

Hopefully it won't happen, but I have this feeling I'm going to walk into one of their stores, take a look at the window stickers, roll my eyes, and then drive to the nearest Chevy lot and buy myself a new Crew Cab.
In the past, they were promising lower prices than the traditional market and now suddenly, over the last couple of months, they claim their trucks are worth more money than their competition. I don't think so and I'll be damned if I pay more than somebody pays in Australia. And don't bother pointing out the differences between Aussie trucks and American. I know what they are and I'm not impressed.

But, if that does turn out to be the case, Mahindra can bite my ass. At this point, I have zero loyalty toward the brand and of course, I mean that in the most sincere Christian way imaginable.

They either put up, or don't even bother showing up. I really don't care which happens because I'm getting tired of their excuses.

Mahindra needs to run down to Walmart and buy themselves a clue, or they won't be here very long.

[pee wee]

I agree- while the competition isn't offering exactly the same thing, there is no way the rational truck buyer would choose to pay a much higher price for an Indian truck, the expectation is for a lower price. They (GV) claim they are going to absorb the chicken tax to get sales rolling until they can set up assembly here, but it's hard to understand how they can work the price up so high (granted, they haven't released pricing yet- this is speculation)without raising doubts. The truly sensible buyer will stay away from this brand until they become established here, if that ever happens. At a comparable price, some people would choose a Mahindra over a Ford or Toyota or Nissan truck because of the diesel, bed length of the TR20, and payload capacity. Some people would avoid it because of its funky styling, lower quality finish in some areas, last generation engineering in some areas, and lack of a track record here. If they have to sell at a higher price I think Mahindra should cut their losses and bypass a launch in this market, because there would be no good reason for anyone to buy one. At a comparable price they would sell some, and could gain a foothold in the market. At a lower price they would get serious attention. I'll just have to wait and see if I'm going to be driving a Mahindra next year or not, pricing should not be underestimated.

[myhindra]

If they don't get this ride below $20K it's not going to float. As stated before you could just buy a Tacoma. If they want to sway people like me who want a Tacoma but can't justify $29K for a truck that gets 20MPG then they better beat it by $10K and get close to 30MPG. If they could pull this off then they will rule the compact market.

[ZippyZed]

Toyotas also have legendary reliability. The reliability of an Mahindra is guesswork at best. I'm interested but I need to see more about build quality, etc.

[gomjabber]

Unfortunately for Mahindra, they are entering the US market at one of the worst points in our history. Bad economy, and the dollar is becoming more worthless and unstable by the day. I think they are getting nervous and I don't blame them.
That being said, I can't argue with what many you have wrote. If I had to choose between a 25K TR40 or a 27K Tacoma double cab, I am taking the Toyota. It just is a no brainer at that point. I am milking along my current ride at 110k miles to see how this all shakes out.

[Duluth Diesel]

Remember that they are talking MSRP, not what you'd actually pay. I used to own a 1999 Ford Ranger. It was a well appointed truck, 4.0 liter V6, 4x4, Off Road package, 4.10:1 gearing, extended cab, etc etc. It had a window sticker of 23,xxx. So, for a Mahindra diesel 4x4 truck that can pull more, haul more, get twice the mileage, and is 11 years newer? I'd say $23k is a fair MSRP.

-Chuck

[Duluth Diesel]

Originally Posted by ZippyZed

Toyotas also have legendary reliability. The reliability of an Mahindra is guesswork at best. I'm interested but I need to see more about build quality, etc.

Guesswork? Do you know how many of these little trucks are working harder than F-250 pickups all over the world for years and years? These are proven trucks globally, just not here in the U.S. and Canada.....yet.

-Chuck

[gnorthern]

I have seen several semi-authoratative posts talking about a 200,000 drive train warrenty, such as the article about the $30,000,000 contract with the ad-agency. Yet Mahindra itself does not mention it. Is it real?

That would be a deal sealer for me.