Mahindra & Mahindra Executive Sees Launch Of Trucks In US In 2010

Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (500520.BY) plans to roll out pickup trucks in the U.S. in 2010, a top company executive told Dow Jones Newswires Friday.

"No date has been scheduled but the plans are underway," Anand Mahindra, vice chairman and managing director, said. "There has been no impediment that has come up to slow our launch next year."

Earlier this year, company officials said they expected the trucks to come to market by the end of the year but Mahindra said he sees that now happening next year.

He said Mahindra also plans to introduce its Scorpio SUV line as well, despite the bleak outlook for the U.S. automotive industry.

Mahindra Ltd. plans to market its vehicles as fuel-efficient, compact and lower-cost alternatives to those produced by U.S. auto makers like General Motors Corp. (GM) and Ford Motor Co. (F).

Mahindra said "it would be crazy to sound euphoric" about the prospects for vehicles in the U.S., but he added that "there's a clear niche for them."

The company has also said that it is considering building the SUVs in the U.S. to cut out import taxes, but those ideas haven't been finalized yet, Mahindra said. He added that the company will wait to see how demand for its products holds before constructing in the U.S.

Meanwhile in India, the company doesn't intend to introduce any more vehicles from Renault S.A. (RNO.FR) this year after the joint venture with the French company, a low-cost sedan called Logan, was unable to gain market traction, Mahindra said.

-By Kejal Vyas, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5460; [e-mail]