New desiel hybrid?

Sam Abuelsamid over at AutoblogGreen has biographical information about Mahindra's diesel hybrid architect, Dr. Arun Jaura. Before joining Mahindra, Dr. Jaura was the Head of Vehicle Engineering for Ford's Escape Hybrid SUV.

Be sure to check out Sam's take on the Mahindra pickup.

Update #1: 02-11-08 04:15 PT

Several more news items about the Mahindra pickup not included in the original story:

The "Appalachian" will have a U.S. exclusive interior that's been designed to American tastes (and sizes) by Michigan-based supplier Lear Corporation. Leather seats will be optional.

Two-wheel and Four-wheel-drive versions will be available.

Mr. Perez says the truck's size is close to that of the current Toyota Tacoma, instead of being a 'true compact' pickup.

Mahindra and GV-USA are planning a wide range of accessories for the truck, one of which is expected to be a snow plow.

Originally posted by Samueul:
I don't know why, but I love ugly looking vehicles.

Originally posted by Mobycat:
What the hell is "chicken tax?"

The Chicken Tax was instituted back in 1963, and was aimed at European (read VW) truckmakers. The long and the short of it is that there was a trade war going back then between the USA and Europe. The Europeans tripled the tax of chickens being imported into Europe, and the US retaliated by putting a 25% tax on any truck imported into the USA. That's how it came about, and we've lived with it ever since.

Originally posted by BlueSky:

Quote:

Originally posted by Samueul:
[b]I don't know why, but I love ugly looking vehicles.

Then here's your dream ride:

[/b]

Originally posted by Shahram:
Gee, a compact, diesel, utilitarian pickup truck?
What a concept!

Originally posted by FSRBIKER:
Mahindra was in the running to buy Jaguar/Land Rover but it looks like it will be another Indian company TaTa motors.

There is a rumor that Mahindra is trying to buy Jeep though. If they buy a brand it makes it much easier to introduce a new truck to the market since they would already have a dealer base.

Originally posted by FSRBIKER:
Chrysler/Mercedes doesn't own Jeep anymore, Cerberus a private investment firm does.

Originally posted by Mobycat:

Quote:

Originally posted by FSRBIKER:
[b]That price for the Challenger I believe is for a special edition Hemi version with 425+ HP, less expensive versions are going to be introduced later.

Could be. The website only shows that one.[/b]

For 2008, the Dodge Challenger will only be offered as a high-performance SRT8 model in a two-door coupe body style. A total of 6400 will be built and each will come with a numbered plaque on the dash panel.

Under the hood, the Challenger will feature Dodge's 6.1-liter overhead valve Hemi V8 that also powers the SRT8 versions of the Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The V8 puts out 425 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 4800 rpm. The Challenger's lone transmission will be a five-speed automatic with an AutoStick manual shiftgate.

Originally posted by Desert_Rat:
Now if that little truck had a solid front axle and a 4:1 Tcase...

Originally posted by C.S. Gray:

Quote:

Originally posted by Desert_Rat:
[b]Now if that little truck had a solid front axle and a 4:1 Tcase...

We would all buy one [/b]