Mahindra has big plans to launch a new global bakkie to tackle segment stalwarts such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. Here’s what we know so far…
The head of Mahindra’s automotive division has confirmed the Indian manufacturer is hard at work developing a “global” bakkie to take on segment leaders such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.
Veejay Nakra, CEO for Mahindra & Mahindra’s automotive division, told Australian publications such as GoAuto the new bakkie will be “a full-scale lifestyle pick-up”, somewhat unlike its current, more utilitarian Pik Up.
Scheduled to hit the market during the Indian automaker’s 2027 financial year (so, somewhere between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027), the new bakkie looks likely to ride on a version of the ladder-frame chassis underpinning the latest Scorpio N SUV. The current Pik Up, of course, shares its platform with the previous-generation Scorpio SUV (with the bakkie even having used the Scorpio suffix for a period).
As a reminder, the new Scorpio N employs a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine generating 129 kW and 400 Nm, peak outputs that are delivered to all 4 corners courtesy of a 6-speed automatic transmission. Since it’s early days in the upcoming bakkie’s development, Mahindra has obviously yet to confirm any engine options, though Nakra did state a turbodiesel motor will be “our first priority” since “that’s where the largest volume sits”.
“The Scorpio is a very capable ladder-frame SUV. So, clearly … we make authentic ladder-frame SUVs, so the DNA would come from there. But we clearly would create a global pick-up, which is distinct to be a global pick-up. It may have commonality of parts; it may share the commonality of the platform coming from Scorpio; but we would create a pick-up which would be a worthy global vehicle,” said Nakra, according to the Australian publication.
Though Nakra hinted at the likelihood of various body styles (single-, extended- and double-cab among them) being offered, he emphasised it would be “very difficult” for him to confirm the extend of the upcoming range at this point.
“But having said that, I think what’s more important is what our brand stands for. I don’t think we would make a product that is not a brand fit with who we are. And our brand fit has always been about offering more at a great value. And that’s what even the global pick-up would do, so we clearly would offer a lot at a great-value price,” he explained.
The Mahindra Pik Up placed 5th on the list of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies for 2022, with its final tally of 8 046 units proving enough to comfortably beat the likes of the Rosslyn-built Nissan Navara, the imported GWM P-Series and the original Volkswagen Amarok. Over the opening 5 months of 2023, Mahindra has registered 3 816 units of its Pik Up, which sees it remain in 5th place, year to date.
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