CAN THE U.S. AUTO INDUSTRY SURVIVE?
It looks like a new economical diesel pick-up and SUV will be hitting our shores! Why won't the US companies produce vehicles like these?
The first wave of foreign cars came from Europe, but they were niche cars like the VW Beetle and expensive MB sedans. Neither made much impact and GM/Ford/Chrysler/AMC thrived. Then there was the Japanese competition, which took root and really disrupted the US auto industry. The unions & industry asked for, and got import tariffs and the US auto industry thrived . . . until the Japanese overcame the tariff issue with quality.
Now we have Korean cars, generally they are of dubious quality, but are getting better. Still, Kia is often called "Crap-ia" and the Koreans now offer ultra long warranties in an attempt to calm consumer fears. On the horizon is China, with plans to bring cars to the US in short order.
And today Mahindra & Mahindra of India announced plans to bring a small diesel SUV to the US. It has 200 dealers lined up. The cars will hit the roads in 2009. Here is an earlier announcement suggesting cars will arrive in 2007. That has now been pushed back a bit, but the plans continue. Here is part of the initial article:
India’s Mahindra to Enter U.S. Market By Alan Harman
WardsAuto.com, Dec 18, 2006 9:59 AM
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., India’s largest utility vehicle manufacturer, says it plans to enter the U.S. market next year as part of its strategy to become a global automotive company.
“In the way the global automotive industry is evolving, even to stay on top of the Indian market we need to be a global player,” he says in a statement. “We need to compete openly in markets where our vehicles have to compete against a wide range of models, price and specifications.
“That’s why we’ve entered the U.S. market, the richest and one of the most demanding automotive markets in the world. Nearly half of the world’s sales of SUVs and (utility vehicles) is in the U.S., and we want some of it.”
Alpharetta, GA.-based Global Vehicles U.S.A. Inc. has been given exclusive rights to market Mahindra vehicles. A formal announcement of the date of launch and other details will be made in second-quarter 2007.
Global Vehicles says a new website with Mahindra product information will be unveiled next April. “Stay tuned for the greatest automotive announcement of this millennium,” a company statement says.
Global Vehicles reportedly has signed on 130 U.S. dealers and is expecting another 70 in the coming months.
Mahindra to sell Scorpio Pik-Up in U.S.Mahindra will be the first Indian auto maker to break into the North American passenger-vehicle market, the auto maker says. It also is ahead of some European brands, such as Fiat Auto SpA and Renault SA that have left the market and not yet returned.
And here is a portion today's announcement from the Associated Press
It looks like a new economical diesel pick-up and SUV will be hitting our shores! Why won't the US companies produce vehicles like these?
The first wave of foreign cars came from Europe, but they were niche cars like the VW Beetle and expensive MB sedans. Neither made much impact and GM/Ford/Chrysler/AMC thrived. Then there was the Japanese competition, which took root and really disrupted the US auto industry. The unions & industry asked for, and got import tariffs and the US auto industry thrived . . . until the Japanese overcame the tariff issue with quality.
Now we have Korean cars, generally they are of dubious quality, but are getting better. Still, Kia is often called "Crap-ia" and the Koreans now offer ultra long warranties in an attempt to calm consumer fears. On the horizon is China, with plans to bring cars to the US in short order.
And today Mahindra & Mahindra of India announced plans to bring a small diesel SUV to the US. It has 200 dealers lined up. The cars will hit the roads in 2009. Here is an earlier announcement suggesting cars will arrive in 2007. That has now been pushed back a bit, but the plans continue. Here is part of the initial article:
India’s Mahindra to Enter U.S. Market By Alan Harman
WardsAuto.com, Dec 18, 2006 9:59 AM
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., India’s largest utility vehicle manufacturer, says it plans to enter the U.S. market next year as part of its strategy to become a global automotive company.
“In the way the global automotive industry is evolving, even to stay on top of the Indian market we need to be a global player,” he says in a statement. “We need to compete openly in markets where our vehicles have to compete against a wide range of models, price and specifications.
“That’s why we’ve entered the U.S. market, the richest and one of the most demanding automotive markets in the world. Nearly half of the world’s sales of SUVs and (utility vehicles) is in the U.S., and we want some of it.”
Alpharetta, GA.-based Global Vehicles U.S.A. Inc. has been given exclusive rights to market Mahindra vehicles. A formal announcement of the date of launch and other details will be made in second-quarter 2007.
Global Vehicles says a new website with Mahindra product information will be unveiled next April. “Stay tuned for the greatest automotive announcement of this millennium,” a company statement says.
Global Vehicles reportedly has signed on 130 U.S. dealers and is expecting another 70 in the coming months.
By HARRY R. WEBER The Associated Press
ATLANTA — Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. unveiled Thursday a line of sport utility vehicles and trucks that it plans to start selling in the United States in 2009.
The roughly 50,000 vehicles Mahindra is expected to manufacture in India and sell in the United States the first year will enter a crowded market.
But Mahindra and its U.S. importer, Global Vehicles USA Inc. of Alpharetta, Georgia, say the Mahindra vehicles will be set apart by their sleek design, affordability and fuel efficiency.
‘‘The consumers are really looking for something like this, particularly with the prices at the pump,’’ William Goetze, president of Global Vehicles, told reporters at a gathering at an Atlanta airport hotel to display the Mahindra line.
Final pricing has not been determined, but Mahindra’s 2-door single-cab pickup truck will be offered in the low $20,000 range and its 4-door truck and 5-door SUV, which seats seven, will be in the mid-$20,000 range. A high-end version of the 4-door truck will be in the high $20,000 range, Goetze said.
ATLANTA — Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. unveiled Thursday a line of sport utility vehicles and trucks that it plans to start selling in the United States in 2009.
The roughly 50,000 vehicles Mahindra is expected to manufacture in India and sell in the United States the first year will enter a crowded market.
But Mahindra and its U.S. importer, Global Vehicles USA Inc. of Alpharetta, Georgia, say the Mahindra vehicles will be set apart by their sleek design, affordability and fuel efficiency.
‘‘The consumers are really looking for something like this, particularly with the prices at the pump,’’ William Goetze, president of Global Vehicles, told reporters at a gathering at an Atlanta airport hotel to display the Mahindra line.
Final pricing has not been determined, but Mahindra’s 2-door single-cab pickup truck will be offered in the low $20,000 range and its 4-door truck and 5-door SUV, which seats seven, will be in the mid-$20,000 range. A high-end version of the 4-door truck will be in the high $20,000 range, Goetze said.