Mahindra launches next generation Pik-Up
July 23, 2009 by Anthony Crawford
2009 Mahindra Pik-Up – First Look
Ever heard of, or even seen a Mahindra Pik-Up?
Funny enough, I saw one of these Indian designed and built vehicles yesterday for the first time, on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Don’t be at all surprised though, by the lack of Mahindra sightings if you happen live in any of Australia’s capital cities, you’re not the target market, at least, not yet.
Most of the 20-plus Mahindra dealers in this country are located well outside suburbia, in rural or semi rural areas for good reason, that’s where the farms are, and that’s where you’ll find these Mahindra Pik-Ups.
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd is no backyard operation either; it’s a US$6.3 billion dollar corporate giant with tentacles spanning the globe, and automotive is just one of their many business categories.
And while the Australian operation might be relatively small at the moment, watch this space very carefully.
Mahindra Automotive Australia (MAA) is a joint venture between TMI Pacific (a division of the well-respected Sydney based Tynan Motor Group) and Mahindra & Mahindra, which owns 80 per cent of the venture.
It’s worth noting that in these dark economic times, Mahindra & Mahindra are one of the few global corporations that is currently expanding, with new plants under construction in several countries.
Moreover, they have never pulled out of any market they have launched in, since the company began assembling the famous Willy’s Jeep back in 1945. This is one company that is here to stay, despite what you may think of Indian built vehicles.
But don’t believe me, or the hype, just ask any proud Aussie owners of the Mahindra Pick-Up, as I did this morning.
Rees Leyshan, is a landscaper and part time adventurer from the Hills Shire, in Sydney’s north west, and he and his family, have driven their first generation Pik-Up more than 20,000km across some of the harshest country Australia has to offer, and he’ll tell you it “didn’t miss a beat”.
On one trip alone to Australia’s water logged top end, he crossed 20 rivers, and pulled both Mitsubishi and Toyota badged vehicles out from harm’s way.
Mind you, when he first bought the Mahindra, his mates gave him hell and nicknamed the car, the ‘Calcutta Commodore’. Today, there are three more in his suburb.
As one dealer said, “we don’t have to sell these vehicles; the owners do the selling for us.”
The prime motivation for someone to look at a Mahindra Pik-Up is price and value for money.
Financially strapped farmers believe that you can’t compare them to anything on the market, as far as value and reliability goes. If you can learn to live with the Mahindra badge and the jokes from the boys, they appear to offer substantial economic benefits.
The marketing push for Mahindra is all about tough and the ad slogan reads, “made for the hardest places on earth”.
India is not exactly kind to cars and the Australian bush isn’t much better, and yet there are hundreds of testimonials from the dark corners of the globe, testifying to the reliability and robustness of Mahindra vehicles.
Rees Leyshan wishes he had waited for this next generation Mahindra, with more than 20 new features including; dual front airbags, ABS brakes and power side mirrors, all for a lower price than the first generation vehicle.
Clearly, there is a market beyond landscapers and farmers for the Pik-Up, any type of tradesmen who watches his outgoings would do well to have a good look over the Mahindra offering.
It’s still powered by the same 2.5-litre CRDe four-cylinder. turbo-diesel engine producing 79kW and 247Nm of torque from 1800 rpm and mated to a five-speed manual transmission. However, you can be confident of more grunt and the possibility of a six-speed auto with any future facelift.
The other good news is that Mahindra will soon be launching a range of Pik-Ups and SUVs into the North American market, so we should see a similarly expanded range in Australia too, kicking off with the Scorpio SUV in 2010.
There’s a stack of room in the front cabin, and in the rear in the dual cabs too, with unlimited storage space for bits and pieces, while the quality of materials used throughout the interior has been stepped up a notch or two.
I’m keen to test drive the new Pik-Up, given the substantial improvement in overall features and general seat comfort, which I sampled during today’s launch and CarAdvice will be posting a thorough review of the vehicle as soon as possible.
Mahindra Pik-Up 4 x 2 – prices to ABN holders
• 2.5 CRDe Turbo Diesel Single Cab 4 x 2 Cab/Chassis – $18,999*
• 2.5 CRDe Turbo Diesel Single Cab 4 x 2 $20,499*
• 2.5 CRDe Turbo Diesel Double Cab 4 x 2 Cab/Chassis $23,299*
• 2.5 CRDe Turbo Diesel Double Cab 4 x2 $24,199*
Mahindra Pik-Up 4 x 4 prices to ABN holders
• 2.5 CRDe Turbo Diesel Single Cab 4 x 4 Cab/Chassis $24,199*
• 2.5 CRDe Turbo Diesel Single Cab 4 x 4 Single Cab 4 x 4 $25,599*
• 2.5 CRDe Turbo Diesel Double Cab 4 x 4 Cab/Chassis $25,999*
• 2.5 CRDe Turbo Diesel Double Cab 4 x 4 $26,999*
*Manufacturers’ List Price
Print it: 
Is that the worst Pik-Up line I’ve heard all day? :)
Sorry couldn’t help myself.
On a serious note, I wish them well. It’ll be a hard task to get through to the buying public, but if the car is everything Mahindra claims it is, any real buyer should see past the badge (and the other, err interesting visual elements).
That grille- expletives deleted.
What a seriously under powered engine!!!!!!
Thats why this new range of chinese and indian commercials are cheap, its because they are fitting engines that everyone else stopped using years ago.
These are vehicles that are assumed to have real grunt for the pulling of loads etc, yet they totally miss the mark in the grunt department.
The chinese Great Walls arent much better either.
Buy a second hand Lux or Rodeo or Falcon ute if you are on a budget for a work ute
Swampy, I’ve got one to match:
http://www.caradvice.com.au/34.....-spy-pics/
Underpowered for what? Towing an Airbus A380?
This brand will never work in the city, it just doesnt have that brand status, no matter how much it improves. They can keep it out in the bush.
I know you will never mistake it for one, but the front end in photo 9 does look look like the BMW X5! Scorpio is a good name wasted on a pig-ugly car. Check out photos of the Mahindra Xylo on the Internet: I almost cried!
Just like Proton these guys are hsit frightened of the Chinese so have acted fast.
Yes, great value but would YOU buy one?
Cheers
F-0
why is this so ugly?
at least the GWM ute is just based on a Isuzu/Rodeo/Colorado.
The Great Wall looks much better than this! DisighEng is so funny.
the only think the mahindra has over the GWM utes is it has a relatively modern CRDi diesel motor
the Chinese are still using crappy petrol motors (probably pushrod?)
maybe next time the Chinese will move to diesel
It is impressive that in this day and age manufacturers can still make cars that ugly. It must take more work to design them that way. And yes, I know, its a ute its designed for work not looks, but really is that an excuse? The previous generation Ranger was reasonable looking and yet more capable than this. So it can be done.
Now to the actual ute, I’m sure there is a massive market out there for a cheaper 4×4 dual cab, the only problem might be that its a very brand loyal market out there, Mahindra have a lot of work ahead of them to establish themselves in any meaningful way.
chaps, you are missing the point. The Mahindra Pik-Up is an unbeatable value for money workhorse, which can take a beating while operating in the most severe conditions and terrain.
Those people who have bought them, including many Australians, have essentially become global ambassadors for the brand and for good reason, they would buy another.
For many cash strapped farmers, $2,000 is a lot of money and if that saving can be made, then looks just don’t count if the vehicle can do the job.
no i don’t think we are missing the point
does it cost more to make a good looking ute over a bad looking one?
no it doesn’t
i’ll illustrate with an example
the Isuzu D-Max, Holden Colorado and old Rodeo and the GWM V240 are the same ute.
Which one looks the best? The sole reason the GWM looks the worst is that the Chinese are still amateur hour as far as design goes… that is all
I have pictures of the GWM Series II ute which has a new CRDi motor and it looks a lot better.
@ DesignEng©™
Ahhhhh, further expletives omitted.
Why do Mahindra Tractors have better styling than the ADR approved versions ?
Maybe, because they are the world’s second/third largest manufacturer of TRACTORS!
Nice pics. :-)
I Like the styling, it is what working people call “funcional”. The seating looks quite upright like in a Landcruser or Defender. This should give a good view of where you are driving.
I think neither Mahindra or GWM are likely to be new bench mark in build quality, but at least Mahindra looks like it might have the vertue of having put substance before style. It sounds like the basis of this work ute is an honest but basic (and a bit rough)light truck.
GWM on the other hand gives me the feeling I get when I see a new “swiss watch” for sale at $2:50. Maybe one day, but not yet.
i would say more the merrier. NO one is forcing people by putting a gun on their head to buy indian,chinese or even african cars if they come in the future. Give people the choice and let them decide. What i want in my car and am willing to pay for it would be different from other people and vice versa. Competition is always,always good.
the car production numbers in 2008 for the top 10 countries. source oica
Japan 9,916,149
China 6,737,745
Germany 5,526,882
USA 3,776,358
SKorea 3,450,478
Brazil 2,561,496
France 2,145,935
Spain 1,943,049
India 1,829,677
Russia 1,469,429
Intesresting guys, check this out !!
I picked some news around the corner , its goes like this -
Indian utility vehicle major Mahindra & Mahindra just got a shot in the arm when one of its Scorpio pick-ups did the unthinkable – take third place in the production category of the tough Rally dos Sertoes in Brazil, racing against the might of the Mitsubishis, Fords and Chevrolets.
http://www.zigwheels.com/News/.....090722-1-2
I could give some benefit of doubt
infact , i would love to go test drive Mahindra
I mean Why not !! give a shot
The 2.0l petrol Kia Sportage used to do very well in the Baja California, often playing the role of giant killer.
Where is it now, though?
The 2.5l Nissan pickup are only small change dearer.
People buy SsangYongs why not Mahindra’s as well..
Do the 4×4’s have a transfer case, I assume they must .
I could believe the hard outback mob would like these, simplicity=reliablity
Seeing that this is aimed at us in the rural areas, I just had a look at the Mahindra websites http://www.mahindraaustralia.com & http://www.mahindrapikup.com.au to see where these extensive dealer networks are.. In WA there is only one and that is in a Perth suburb selling tractors. Just because we live in the bush does not mean we are stupid or blind. CA do some checking of facts before publishing media releases for car companies.
Hagar,
With only 20 dealers in the whole of Australia, how many dealers did you think there might be in WA – 10? Come mate engage that brain of yours before making yourself look foolish
Anthony,
Point taken. Further research shows there is only one dealer for WA and SA which is the one located in a suburb of Perth. And the dealer for NT is actually in QLD. So there are only two dealers to cover 60% of the Australian landmass (WA, SA & NT) Don’t you think that is disconcerting for a car aimed at the rural masses. We might want to buy one these Mahindra’s too.
Hagar,
Perhaps I was a little harsh. The Mahindra operation in Australia is less than two years old and they have plans for 50 dealerships throughout Australia, so WA and SA are bound to end up with more.
Fact is, according to those people who have bought them, nothing seems to go wrong with them!
Next Generation…. what happened to their first generation Pick Up? [Note: its not a "Ute"]
Was it that first Generation gave a way to Next Gen !?
then its a different Story
Any Mahindra owners out there? I would be interested to hear an owners opinion of these utes. Like wise GWM owners.
I saw one the other day on the road. It was a business car for a Window cleaner company. Then I saw it again a week later. It’s still running.
It looked better in real life than in pictures. Not sure what the interior looked like in person though. It actually looks a little tough. It would be interesting to see what the comfort levels are like inside. Does it ride rough? I’d hate to be driving around on Sydney’s roads between jobs if the handling gives you piles.
hmmm not sure whether chatting to a few happy customers invited along to a PR event constitutes fair and objective assessment of the vehicle across all owners – It’s like asking a sample of people whether they like Kevin Rudd at an ALP convention and then saying that everyone loves him…
Not the same mate, I doubt whether many Mahindra owners have driven over 20,000 kms across harsh Aussie country such as this particular guy and his family had done, and continue to do so each year.
Well it’s nice to know someone loves their ute and it has served them well (and it’s nice to inject some personal stories into an article like this), but one or two experiences hardly speak for the brand as a whole, especially when it’s pretty likely that only the happiest customers were invited – they’re not going to invite unhappy customers are they?
guys let me keep it to the point .. I hav had the car for a year and value for money is something i want to live with for the rest of my life no matter what others think of the brand ….. I want a vehicle that meets my purpose and not flaunt a brand that is half as sturdy and twice costly on the savings
it’s got a bit of a TOYOTA , in the early days of the seventies of the last century
Creig
Have you got a Mahindra Pik Up? I, and I would imagine many others here would be interested to hear your assesment of it so far. How does it drive in town? what is your experiance with it off the sealed roads? Is there an existing product that it is comparable to?(ie: off road as good as a 40 serise landcruiser etc???)
I take it from your coments you feel the Mahindra is quite well bolted together and good value for money. As a work ute what would be the nearest comparison?
DGS
Yeah I picked up a dual cab Mahindra Pik-Up couple of years back and though the feel of interiors and the not so great looks were part of the bargain, the salesman did promise a good deal and good deal it was.
I did look at the new 2009 model and they have improved the interiors a bit but still not great on looks to drive around in cities. Sure hope it continues to be good on performance and carry those loads on routes we can’t say roads. 2 years of it going through hell, the pik up is still ready for a ride on any road no matter having a big load.
Trust me its not worth trying to compare it with other utes. Its more on your need. I would like to upgrade to the 2009 model or may be a later one. But my purpose made the choice simple. High on performance low on cost and maintenance. If you want an efficient ute and feel ok with the looks, go for a test drive and you will know what I mean.
Can more mahindra owners post their experience with the ute(mileage, reliability, comfort)?. Does it hold together well?.Many of the negative comments are from people who never owned it. Would be nice to hear from real owners if it true or not
They should be tough given that Mahindra is a massive player in the agricultural tractor market. I have sighted a number of them at work around NSW farms, particularly around the Upper Hunter and Central West Slopes and Plains Districts.
The model in photo 7 (interior pic) would be really weird to drive, click on the photo then check out the pedal assembly arrangement!
Check this article on the Mahindra Pick-up!
http://www.zigwheels.com/News/.....090722-1-2
Want the Mahindra Pik Up in California. When and where can I buy one. Toured in India. Love Mahindra Vehs. Want a five speed diesel Pik Up. Send me an answer ASAP. Thanks. George Haynes ghcrew1@yahoo.com