Compact Diesel Pick-up From Mahindra Coming to U.S. This Year

MUMBAI, May 19, 2010; Janaki Krishnan writing for Reuters reported that Mahindra & Mahindra, India's largest utility vehicles and tractor maker, said on Wednesday it would launch its compact diesel pick-up truck in the United States by the end of the year.

The launch, which will be a year behind schedule, was delayed because of changes needed to conform with U.S. regulations following extensive road tests in America.

"We wanted to give the best product to the American consumer and thereby wanted to be absolutely sure on parameters before its launch," President Pawan Goenka said in a statement.

Mahindra, which has built the pick-up on the platform of its flagship Scorpio sport utility vehicle, expects to get U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certification by July and production should start in mid-September.

The trucks would arrive in U.S. showrooms by late December, the company said.

Editing for Reuters by Ranjit Gangadharan