Indian automaker Mahindra could partner with Navistar to build its upcoming TR Series pickups at a Navistar-owned factory in the U.S., according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Such a move would allow Mahindra to avoid the so-called "chicken tax" that adds a 25 percent tariff to pickup trucks produced in most countries outside of the U.S.
"Once we decide to assemble in the U.S., we would look at Navistar's facilities to see if there's something available which is right for us and if that works out," Pawan Goenka, Mahindra's president of automotive operations, told the WSJ. "We will certainly give priority to using Navistar's facilities." A decision is expected be made by December, Goenka said.
Mahindra is about to start production of its first U.S.-bound pickups in India. The trucks are expected to go on sale this spring.
Navistar builds International brand commercial trucks, MaxxForce brand diesel engines, IC Bus vehicles and Workhorse brand chassis for motor homes and step vans, and it is a private label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for trucks. Navistar built diesel engines for Ford Super Duty pickups until 2009.
Mahindra TR Series pickups, based on the company's Scorpio platform, will be offered in two cab configurations: a two-door regular cab and a four-door crew cab. Both will use a slightly modified version of Mahindra's mHawk 2.2-liter inline-four-cylinder diesel engine that meets U.S. emissions regulations. It's expected to have fuel economy ratings as high as 30 mpg and 1.3-ton hauling capability. Pricing is expected to start around $22,000.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/01/report-mahindra-could-partner-with-navistar-to-assemble-pickups.html
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