Don’t expect to kick the tires anytime soon in the U.S. on a pickup truck made by India’s Mahindra & Mahindra.
According to a news story published recently in Ward’s Automotive Reports, importation of the pickup is stalled on at least two fronts. For starters, reports Ward’s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has “all but slammed the door “on the small diesel truck. That’s because the EPA “has not received, nor has Mahindra applied for a 2012 model-year [emissions] certificate,” EPA spokesperson Catherine Milbourn told the publication.
What’s more, according to Ward’s, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has stated that Mahindra has identified itself as a vehicle maker and submitted needed information to sell its trucks here. But the agency added that it is “not aware of the company’s current timing or plans for exporting vehicles for sale in the U.S.”
Ward’s attempted to reach both Mahindra and Alpharetta, GA-based Global Vehicles, which was to import the pickups, but could not reach either party. A source “once closely tied” to Global Vehicles did tell the publication that the import firm has ceased operations.
Powered by 2.2L 4-cylinder diesel engines and reportedly capable of hauling a payload of 2,765 lbs. or towing up to 5,000 lbs., the Mahindra pickup range was first expected to roll out in the U.S. back in 2008.
