Mahindra Pik-Up 2007 News

Critics argue they are because many utes can't match a sedan when it comes to features like side airbags. The Australian Automobile Association has taken up the fight to pressure vehicle makers to lift their game. The powerful AAA wants state and federal governments to ensure their workers drive vehicles that have a minimum four-star safety rating. The Tasmanian Government now has a four-star standard for its buying policy and is leading the way nationally. The Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) last week released its latest safety ratings for utes. Only one of the four tested — the Holden Commodore — rated four stars. Nissan's Navara and Mazda's BT50 managed a three-star rating (the Nissan was tested in Europe) and the Indian-made Mahindra Pik-Up only scored two stars. Utes tested from January 1 this year will not score a five-star rating unless they come with electronic stability control as standard equipment. ANCAP chair Lauchlan McIntosh said the performance of the Holden ute was a sign that manufacturers could design and build models with better occupant protection. “We are seeing more and more four and five-star vehicles on the Australian market nowadays, and we would expect that a utility vehicle should earn a five-star rating in the near future,” he said. However, more work needed to be done. “Many utes are lacking in basic occupant protection, which is an occupational health and safety concern for drivers of these vehicles. Unfortunately these vehicles are also often bought for family use.” Ford's Ranger ute is based on the Mazda BT50 and is expected to have similar crashworthiness. The frontal offset crash by ANCAP left the passenger compartment severely deformed, with the steering column, dashboard components and park brake lever all potential sources of injury. After a poor result from Euro NCAP, Nissan upgraded the airbag performance of the Navara ute and is now fitting new triggering software to utes sold in this country. The Mahindra Pik-Up, which only rated two stars, had minimal safety features and, despite the dual-cab configuration that was popular with families, did not include top tether anchorages for child restraints, McIntosh said. “Under Australian regulations these are optional on this style of vehicle, which can be classified as commercial,” he said. “Mahindra has advised ANCAP it will be providing driver and passenger airbags in its 2008 models and the anchorages will be a standard design feature from next year.  

Forty Mahindra vehicles recently completed the 41st Mahindra Great Escape, an annual non-competitive rally in India started in 1996. This year the Great Escape crossed the Great Thar Desert. Now TMI Pacific, Australian distributor of the Mahindra Pik-Up utility, is planning its own version of the Indian trek. The local event will also be called the Mahindra Great Escape, and will involve dealers, customers, media and other stakeholders TMI Pacific chief operations officer Claire Tynan took part in the Indian adventure, driving a 4WD Scorpio. "It was an absolutely exhilarating experience," she said. "The drive was a testament to the capability of the Mahindra vehicles when put to the test, while the well-thought-out track only added to the challenge." The Scorpio, built on the same platform as the Pik-Up, was among six Mahindra models that took part in the adventure. The route this year covered sand dunes, rocky patches, steep inclines and drops. As well as the national Great Escape held in Rajasthan every year, Mahindra also conducts a series of regional Great Escapes in various parts of India. Tynan said details of the Australian adventure had not yet been confirmed. In Queensland, Mahindra is sold at Fraser Agricultural in Proserpine and at Sunshine Coast Mahindra.  

New cars as cheap as $10,990 are about to zoom into the Australian market.Chinese models will be leading the way and are expected to shake up the local motoring scene, the way Korean cars did in the 1990s and Japanese makes in the 1970s.Budget-priced vehicles are also coming from India, Italy, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.China has hundreds of car makers with names such as Chery, Geely, Great Wall Motors, Nanjing, Hafei, Zhongxing, Zhonghua, Brilliance China and Shanghai Automotive.However, some of the Chinese models have fared poorly in European crash testing.The Brilliance BS6 sedan got only one star out of a possible five when tested last month, while an SUV Landwind made by Jiangling Motors scored a zero.It was the worst result in 20 years of testing.Details of what Chinese makes will be released here are being kept secret by executives of the companies which will join the invasion.The smaller Chinese cars are expected to start at $10,990.Industry observers agree and expect the Chinese strategy will be for cars to be priced under their Korean equivalents, which have recently been as low as $12,990 in order to get a footing in the crowded market.The arrival of the first Chinese-brand cars is being handled by Ateco Automotive, an independent importer which already brings in Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Citroen, Ferrari and Maserati.The deal is being masterminded by Ric Hull, the executive involved in establishing all the major Korean brands including Hyundai, Daewoo and Kia in Australia.Ateco spokesman Edward Rowe said Chinese cars could reach Australian showrooms by mid-2008. “We're still working on it. We're talking to specific companies but there is a confidentiality agreement in place,” he said.Rowe says the plan was to start Chinese imports with small cars, then increase the range. “Ultimately there will be a full range of cars and commercial vehicles,” he said.Chrysler has made a deal with Chery for a Chinese-made small car to be exported to the US and Canada.An Indian brand Mahindra went on sale in NSW last month and plans to open a Queensland dealer network by September.A spokeswoman said: “Talks are under way with a number of dealers. Queensland will be the next market for Mahindra, it's imminent.”The brand is starting with the Pik-Up utility, diesel-engined “one-tonners” from $23,990 but the spokeswoman said they were 'exploring their options' to sell more models.“There are other opportunities there, but we're concentrating on getting launched first.”Czech-made Skoda cars last sold here 25 years ago and will return in October, with a five-seat mini-people-mover called the Roomster, and the Octavia lift-back.Skoda head Matthew Wiesner said prices would be set against their Japanese equivalents, rather than at traditional European levels.

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November. 

Sydney dealer Tynan Motors Group has detailed plans to import Mahindra utes, beginning in mid-2007, as the spearhead for a line-up that could eventually include low-priced SUVs and cars. Two months ago Motoring exclusively revealed that Mahindra would expand into Australia and that the Tynan group had won the distribution rights. This week dealer principal Michael Tynan confirmed the first product, a ute called Pik Up, had been approved for Australia and would be sharply priced to appeal to rural and regional markets. Despite the challenge of a prolonged drought, the group had surveyed likely buyers with encouraging results. "A lot of vehicles today have strayed away from being serious no-frills work machines to becoming more oriented to show," Tynan said. "We were pleased to find that many wanted a return to the basics of a hard-working, keenly priced ute." The family-run Tynan group already sells 11 brands from Mercedes-Benz to Kia, and has set up a dedicated subsidiary, TMI Pacific, to handle its first attempt at car importing. General manager Rob Lowe said the initial investment was in the region of $5 million and expected as many as 50 dealers to be on board within a year. Mahindra had not set any volume targets, Lowe said, but wanted to see "an ordered program" that built volume gradually. The business would be centred on NSW initially before branching into the other eastern states, and Lowe forecast around 600 sales in the first 12 months. The Pik Up will be available as single-cab or dual-cab ute, and with two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The only powertrain offered is a 78kW common rail turbo-diesel with five-speed manual. At 5.1m long, the Pik Up has a large, one-tonne capacity load space. This is the second time around for Mahindra in Australia after an attempt to sell through a West Australian importer failed in 1993. About 250 Stockman and Bushranger models were bought before the importer collapsed. The Tynan group began talking to Mahindra three years ago and acknowledged concerns over quality were foremost from the start. "We all remembered the early days of Indian product which was possibly unsuitable for the Australian market," Michael Tynan said. "We talked about it long and loud ... but Mahindra had been developing a product that was most capable of holding its own." Chairman emeritus of the Australia India Business Council, Neville Roach, said the deal was a landmark in relations between the two nations and would go a little way to redressing Australia's $6 billion trade surplus with the subcontinent. Mahindra is a diversified industrial group, one of India's largest companies and a leading tractor-maker worldwide. Its tractors are already sold in Australia while its cars are exported to 38 countries from Asia to Africa. The group aims to quadruple car exports to 20 per cent of total volume in the next few years, with the US a key target. Last year Mahindra sold 128,000 vehicles globally and auto division president Pawan Goenka said the company needed to expand. "Even to stay on top in India we need to be a global player. We need to compete openly in markets where our vehicles have to compete against a wide range of models, price and specifications," he said. "Our move to the US is a vital part of our strategy." Although Mahindra specialises in light commerical vehicles and SUVs, it began building the Logan economy car last year in partnership with Renault, which developed the model in Europe for its Dacia offshoot. The cheap-and-cheerful Logan has been a surprise hit in Europe, and Mahindra is the only source for right-hand drive versions. Lowe admitted the Logan was a long-term prospect with an SUV, the Scorpio, also on the group's wishlist. With four decades in the car industry, Michael Tynan said the Indian brand reminded him of the first export forays by Japanese makers. "There's as much potential in Mahindra as there was with Mazda when I signed on with it as its first Australian dealer 40 years ago," he said.

Mahindra will reveal a low-cost ute at next month's Australian National Field Days in Orange, NSW, while Tata is on schedule to begin selling utes by mid-year before introducing its Indigo and Marina small cars in 2008. Mahindra has appointed Sydney dealer group Tynan Motors to import its Scorpio Pik Up. Single and dual cab versions of the diesel ute will be shown at the field days to gauge interest. Tynan Motors dealer principal Michael Tynan said the utes had received Australian Design Rule approval and would be on sale by March. They would be sold in 2WD and 4WD versions with an emphasis on regional, rural and mining markets, he said. Standard equipment would include airconditioning, electric windows, and a rear limited slip differential. "They are work vehicles but we think they are good enough to claim their place," Mr Tynan said. He estimated up to 1000 could be sold in the first year, initially in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. In South Africa, where the Pik Up went on sale in April, prices start at the equivalent of $25,000 for the 2WD single cab, with the double cab model coming in at about $30,000. Four-wheel drive models cost about $32,000 for the single cab and $36,500 for the double cab. Mr Tynan would not reveal planned Australian prices but said they would be "extremely competitive". "If anything, they could be lower than those figures." Mahindra began making passenger cars last year with an Indian version of the Logan, an economy car designed by Renault and produced in Europe by Romanian maker Dacia. Mr Tynan said India was the sole world source for right-hand drive versions of the car but said there were no plans to import it. "We should see how the commercial vehicles go first," he said. The Tynan venture will be Mahindra's second appearance in Australia. The Mahindra Stockman and its upmarket version, the Bushranger, were sold here as recreational vehicles between 1990 and 1993. Their design was based on the original wartime Willys Jeep design used by Mahindra when it began making vehicles in 1947. About 250 were sold here before its WA-based importer collapsed and had to return 100 unsold vehicles to India. Although simple, the Mahindra Scorpio is a modern design, launched in 2001 as an SUV and upgraded this year when the ute version was revealed as an export-only model. The Scorpio Pik Up will be powered by a 2.5-litre common-rail diesel engine co-developed with Renault. The engine would meet the stringent Euro 4 pollution standard and would produce slightly more than the 80kW and 280Nm the 2.6-litre Euro 3 engine fitted to evaluation models, Mr Tynan said. At 5.1m long, the Pik Up is comparable with a Toyota Hilux in size, although heavier at 2150kg for the 4WD double cab version. All versions boast carrying capacity of 1000kg. A dual-range five-speed manual with part-time four-wheel drive is the only transmission available. Steering is by power-assisted rack and pinion, and suspension uses a torsion bar independent system for the front wheels and leaf springs on the rear axle. Meanwhile, dealer sources say Tata remains on track to reappear in Australian showrooms next year, four years after the previous importer brought in the last shipment of Safari utes. Dealers said the company would return with a low-cost ute before offering a range of small cars with petrol and diesel engines. "Things are moving along, they were hoping to make an announcement in January but that's now more likely to be in March or April," a dealer said. "Homologation is under way and market research is being done. They know their demographic, they know what their pricing has to be and they're working towards that now, he said. Another dealer said Tata understood how competitive the Australian market was. "They can see that it's a viable but not wildly beneficial exercise at the sort of prices the local market will bear. But they don't see short-term margins as the be-all and end-all of the exercise," he said. Hong-Kong based analyst with automotive strategic consultants Autopolis, Graeme Maxton, was pessimistic about the chances of Indian makers, saying they were "getting ahead of themselves" in their urge to take on the Australian market. "Mahindra and Tata are both enthusiastic about overseas markets but they don't have the product line-up or build quality to establish themselves," he said. "I think rural commercial vehicles are a risky strategy in Australia where reliability in outback use can be a matter of life and death."