Automotive Blog

I don’t think anyone can argue that we are seeing a rapid globalization of the automotive industry. With few efficient models on hand to offer Americans suffering from high gas prices, car-makers are bringing previously European-only models to the U.S. and the door is open for makers from China and India to get a foot into the North American marketplace.

If you know anything about farm machinery and heavy equipment, you know the name Mahindra. Now the company is at work on a zero-emission vehicle as well as moving ahead with bringing diesel and hybrid trucks and SUVs to America. Rumor has it the new EV would be a four-seater, designed primarily to go head to head with the Reva G-Wiz, *the* electric car in the Indian market. If the rumored EV did well in its own backyard, Mahindra would begin exporting to other countries with the U.S. on the list of potential recipients.

With American automakers scrambling to ditch the truck/SUV mindset in favor of smaller, more fuel-efficient variants — and with foreign companies surging ahead in that field (think Honda Fit, Smart ForTwo, and the new Hyundai i10, which is incidentally made in India) — thinking outside the box is becoming standard operating procedure. Concern over the environment on top of spiraling gasoline prices is the best possible time for alternative fuel vehicles. Add the Mahindra to the list of models to watch.

Posted on August 22nd, 2008 by Shorty
Filed under: alternative fuels |

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