Mahindra is about to disclose an idea model of its next-generation Pik-Up ute at an occasion in Cape City, South Africa on August 15.
Dubbed the World Pik-Up Imaginative and prescient, the Indian carmaker confirmed off temporary glimpses of the brand new ute idea in a brief teaser video uploaded to its social media.
The ute seems to be primarily based on the current-generation Scorpio, which solely not too long ago launched in Australia, and has chunky off-road tyres with two spares within the tub, vast aspect steps and sq. pixel LED tail lights.
As beforehand reported, Mahindra’s upcoming “international pickup” is due in 2027-2028 and has section stalwarts just like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in its sights.
“Going ahead, we’ve got aspirations of bringing in a really international pickup for Australia and a spread of EVs,” mentioned Mahindra’s international automotive boss Veejay Nakra in June this yr.
“It is a product not being engineered for India, however a platform and a product being really engineered as a worldwide pickup.
“Australia is a important market relating to the worldwide pickup, so we’d be working with clients, our channel companions over right here, to take all of the inputs into what we have to outline the worldwide pickup as. So, the market would play an necessary function in serving to us outline what we wish to provide.”
Mr Nakra confirmed it should function body-on-frame development and a diesel powertrain.
“If you wish to achieve success… Australia is a vital marketplace for us, and for us to achieve success we have to scale up on this market. If we’ve got to scale up, we’ve got to have the suitable choice for the market,” Mr Nakra mentioned when requested whether or not the worldwide pickup would have a 3500kg braked towing capability like key rivals.
The present Pik-Up, which launched domestically in 2018, is smaller than rivals just like the HiLux and Ranger, and solely gives a 2500kg braked towing capability.
When requested whether or not the corporate’s work on a spread of 5 new electrical autos may see it introduce an electrical ute, Mr Nakra mentioned that’s not within the plans proper now.
“In the mean time to start with, as we launch, we’re an ICE-based international pickup,” he mentioned.
“Clearly as we go ahead, relying on how the market shifts and what the necessities are, we’ll consider all types of powertrains going ahead.”
Mr Nakra left the door open for the worldwide pickup to be offered alongside the prevailing Pik-Up as a substitute of changing it outright.
Mahindra at the moment employs this technique in India with the brand new Scorpio, which is offered there because the Scorpio-N whereas its predecessor is sticking round with Scorpio Basic badging.
“I feel we’d see that as we go alongside, there might be a number of alternatives, totally different segments, totally different value factors, I feel these are all within the reckoning in the meanwhile.”
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Present Pik-Up -
Present Scorpio
“I feel we’ll take these calls as we go alongside, relying on what the definition of the worldwide pickup is, what could be the choices from a spread of single-cab, double-cab, king-cab, powertrain choices, the worth factors that we’d cater to… I feel that’s a name we’ll take as we go alongside.”
Mahindra is planning to increase its presence globally, led by its upcoming quintet of electrical autos on a brand new platform referred to as Inglo – however the international pickup will even play a component in its growth.
“There are numerous markets on this planet which can be massive pickup markets, and thru the worldwide pickup, in addition to the normal markets the place we’re current, we’d even have entry to another markets for pickups,” mentioned Mr Nakra.
“And clearly with the EV coming in, we’d have entry to another markets like for instance the UK the place we don’t have a presence at this time.”
