Mahindra plans to enter U.S. in 2009

Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra plans to launch a range of compact pickups and SUVs in the United States in early 2009.

The vehicles are built in India, although Mahindra executives have said the pickups may be assembled elsewhere – possibly even in the United States – to get around the 25 percent U.S. tariff on imported pickups.

Mahindra plans to offer five models, all derived from its Scorpio SUV. They are a two-door pickup, two four-door pickups and two five-door SUVs. All five offerings will be powered by four-cylinder diesel engines mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. Gasoline versions may be added. AutoWeek