What ever happened to "Buy American?" GGpap
Out with Isuzu and in with Mahindra.
In November, the Gerald Jones Dealer Group will begin selling diesel-powered pickups made by Mahindra & Mahindra of India.
The new dealership will go into the former Isuzu location on the Jones lot.
Isuzu stopped selling cars in America at the end of January after a dismal year in which it sold only 7,000 cars.
Andy Jones, the dealer group president, said Tuesday he will spend about $250,000 renovating the Isuzu space for the Mahindra showroom. The Martinez car dealer will be among the first in the nation to sell the Maxx pickup.
Mahindra already sells farm tractors in the U.S., but this will be the first American offering in cars and trucks for the 60-year-old Mumbai-based automaker.
"The U.S. is a very big market for us," said Pawan Goenka, Mahindra's president, who was in Augusta on Tuesday. "We will probably be the first Indian manufacturer or Chinese manufacturer to be in the U.S., and that is exciting."
The Maxx, a diesel truck, gets better fuel economy than gasoline-powered cars, Mr. Jones said.
"The only place that uses hybrids in the world is the U.S. ... but the fuel that is the most readily available everywhere is diesel. The technology is there. It makes less noise. It doesn't have the smell, doesn't have the black smoke," Mr. Jones said.
He said he has been working on the partnership with Mahindra since 2007 through its Atlanta-based importer, Global Vehicles.
Mr. Goenka said his company was approached by Global Vehicles in 2005 to distribute the cars and trucks in America.
"We have our plans ready. If we get to the right kind of volumes, then we will manufacture in the U.S.," he said.
Mr. Jones said he will hire 20 people to staff the dealership.
The Jones Group sells Honda, Volkswagen, Mazda, Audi, Volvo and Subaru brands. Mr. Jones said he has not determined a sales price.
Reach Tim Rausch at (706) 823-3352 or timothy.rausch@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
What ever happened to "Buy American?" GGpap
With all the trouble our own auto industry is having, why are we going to foriegn markets and import vehicles? Indian trucks, Europeon manufactured GM cars, why not just roll over and let the US become the market of the world? We won't produce anything and just buy all the other countries have to offer. With no jobs, no money, we will be a debtor nation as the other so called third world countries. Go Obama.
whatever happened to keeping a car until the wheels fall off? What happened to buy American? American autos went sour in the 70's and alot of people who got burnt by them still don't think their quality is on par with Euro or Asian alternatives. Personally I think American styling has also been lacking. You seen the new Cobalt? Impala? Focus? Barf.
The companies that survive this economic down turn will be the ones that innovate, have lower labor cost and provide a quality vehicle. American Auto companies have the burden of labor unions which hinder their ability to compete in the global market place. If the Dem's pass the Free Choice Act, look for more American industries to become largely unionized and suffer the same fate. Unfortunately, it's the American workers that ultimately suffer. It doesn't matter that you make $28 to $35 per hr. if you job is not secure due to global competition.
The US has more influence in high-end manufacturing not cars.
Maybe we can give them some money to help them get started. Might as well, we are paying GM to take their jobs over seas. Thanks OBAMA!!!!
buy american!!!
We always offer minorities from any country free or nearly free government start up money.
Good point Reality ... just wondering, the middle eastern types that run the 7-11's, gas stations , motels; how do they get into this business? I sure would like to open/manage such a business. Do you think the government would help me? Does a WASP stand a chance?
American automakers showed a lack of foresight in several areas. 1. They put all their efforts into trucks and SUVs and never came up with a quality, competitive small car. 2. They agreed to labor contracts in the good old days that had (have) non-sustainable legacy costs in times like these. 3. They thought that "buy American" would override "buy quality".
If it were not for Obama's close ties to the unions I believe that he would be much more likely to encourage bankruptcy so the American automakers could get out from under those 2000 page labor agreements.
If anyone cares---each of the 13 directors of GM made over $350.000 last year. The top 200 executives made on average $550.000 each last year. This does not include personal aircraft usage, company provided investment advice, health club memberships, civic club memberships, personal security, etc. etc. And somehow it's the hourly worker that is the problem. GET REAL
jebko. most of them come over here, work low-paying jobs, and save until they can get into the business. alot of them (especially in the augusta area) are also owned by doctors, and they let their family run the business. I have met no family of indian/asian heritage that has taken govt. assistance. They just have a very hard work ethic, and know which investments make money. Jealous?
I for one am glad that Mahindra Motors is coming to Augusta. Mahindra motors is already employing thousands of american workers in the US. They have plants in TX, CA and GA already. They are the 3rd largest deisel manufacturers in the world with over 50% of the market share in India. They are definitely doing something right. We need those jobs especially in Augusta. Deisel is the way to go for fuel efficiency and durability.
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