The Auto Writer

Okay, this is getting ridiculous.

Four years have passed since Global Vehicles U.S.A. Inc., inked a deal with India’s Mahindra & Mahindra truck manufacturer to sell its diesel powered pick up trucks in the United States. GV entered into an exclusive arrangement with Mahindra as sole distributor of the truck in 2006, since arranging for 350 dealers across the nation to invest a combined $60 million in stores and franchise rights.

Distribution Delayed

Mahindra has promised and put off its planned roll out of the trucks, changing the distribution date three times. The latest change has these trucks available for sale in December 2010, but GV is concerned that Mahindra will once again miss their deadline.

According to Automotive News, GV’s John Perez is suing Mahindra on behalf of his company and his dealer network.  A May 2010 press release announced the date change, but Perez wants to make sure Mahindra follows through this time.

EPA Certification

Holding up the release of the trucks is EPA certification, something Mahindra has yet to receive. The Indian automaker must submit a formal application to the EPA proving that its trucks meet U.S. emissions standards for 2011. In their suit, GV says that Mahindra has yet to execute an application.

Mahindra and GV have been battling in British courts for most of the past year with GV seeking arbitration to settle these disputes. In U.S. court, GV is seeking an injunction forbidding Mahindra from seeking another distributor or from attempting to communicate with the dealer network.

Mahindra Trucks

The Auto Writer has been following the progress (or lack thereof) of Mahindra’s U.S. debut, first telling our readers about the trucks in June 2008. Those trucks, two- and four-door diesels models are expected to deliver at least 30 mpg highway which would put them at the top of the range of any pickup truck sold in America.

Indeed, the diesel configuration is what sets these vehicles apart, as no compact truck offers this feature even as an option. Following the introduction of its trucks, Mahindra is expected to include at least one more model, an SUV, but that vehicle will likely be delayed until the trucks hit the market.