[David95436]

I'm moving to India in the next year. I own a Toyota Tacoma (aka Helux) including the TRD package (with rear differential locker)4x4 and a supercharger. I have not decided if I will bring the Tacoma or buy a truck in India. Does any Mahindra or Tata have these or similar features?

I live in California so the steering wheel is on the left side of the truck. If I bring the Tacoma, I expect I will have to convert it to the right side. Does anyone know the price of conversion?

If I don’t bring my truck and there are no Indian trucks the meet my needs, I could buy a similar truck to mine. Does anyone know the price of a truck like mine in India?


Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[jeepster]

if you want a truck then you have two choices a tata xenon & mahindra getaway.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/commercial-vehicles-india/73633-tata-xenon-xt-2010-a.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-t...on-xt-4x2.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...at-driver.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ouble-cab.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...pressions.html

Welcome to Mahindracustomisation.com

both vehicles will cost around 11L in India.
rgds,
Nikhil

[Amartya]

Well David, I'd say that trying to bring the Tacoma over is not going to be a hassle free experience. As far as I know, you just cannot import an LHD car (unless it's for an embassy, or a manufacturer wants to test a car). I'm not sure if a conversion (even if it's somehow done in the US) would be recognized as being legal in India. I'd wait for some more inputs from members who might have more knowledge of the same.

No Mahindra or Tata truck has features anywhere close to a Tacoma (let alone one equipped with the TRD package, just curious, is yours the X-Runner?). The only half way decent truck available is the Tata Xenon. I've attached a picture as well as the brochure for your reference. Check out the specs and see if it'll work for you or not. The price of the 4X4 version would be close to $19,000.

[valhallen.282]

The hilux is a revered vehicle on indian roads. It is possible to bring it as is to india. The registration process will be tedious (read: a few palms MAY need grease) but its possible. There is a LHD ford ranger in bangalore among a few other vehicles. In india you will get the tata xenon and by the time you get here the upgrade should be out. It has LSD 4X4 and compared to the hilux a wheezy anaemic motor. But here it does *PRETTY* well.

Cheers!

[roy_libran]

You have no options here Dave.

Tata Xenon looks Fabulous, but has a bad ride and interiors, and though the Mahindra Scorpio Getaway is better somewhat, it is not great to look at. The Getaway can help you do some off-roading too, but the rear overhang is HUGE.

An Option, you can consider is www.mahindra-customisation.com/.
You can choose a Scorpio Platform and get a truck customized. Usual waiting time is 2 months. But, they do a decent job and the Warranty holds.

[David95436]

Thanks for the help. Mine is not a X-Runner. Its a 2002 model that I purchased used for $13,000. I returned from Death Valley this week, where the truck continues to impress me. I wanted to repeat my question that may have gotten lost, does anyone know what a helix like mine would go for in India?

[4x4addict]

@David:

As others have pointed out, India is not exactly the Land of 4x4 trucks. Your only option is really the Xenon 4x4. I wouldn't recommend the Getaway for the following reasons:

1) It was not designed as a 4x4 pick up so if you look at the bed, pretty much all of it sticks out behind the rear wheel so if you put any load at the back the front of the vehicle will lift making it very scary/uncomfortable to drive. The Xenon was designed as a pick up so the rear wheel is centered on the load bay so putting load will not affect the driving dynamics as much as the Getaway.

2) Xenon comes with the latest generation 2.2 VVTI engine with 140 bhp. The Getaway still comes with a really heavy older generation 2.6 CRDe engine.

3) Tata dealerships are generally better at servicing 4x4 vehicles. With Mahindra it is a pain to source 4WD parts as their parts supply for 4WD parts is very poor and their dealer network besides the rural markets have very limited experience with 4x4 vehicles.

4) Latest Xenon is available with ABS and Getaway doesn't have it.

5) Tata is more committed to selling 4x4 versions of the Safari/Xenon and all dealers carry the price list. Most Mahindra dealers will not even be able to give you a price for the Scorpio 4WD let alone the Getaway.

[vivekiny2k]

To add my .02$, you need to really see why you need a truck in india. I don't know your familiarity with India, so I will start with basics. We do not have a do-it-yourself, haul-it-yourself culture in india. you can get labor and vehicle for hire for peanuts. unless you want it for image factor, you are better off using a nice car for yourself. Besides, with gas prices being almost double what you see in US, you will pay thru your nose if you had a truck like yours.

you can get a better opinion once you state your priorities and expected usage.

[shankar.balan]

Neither the Mahindra Getaway nor the Tata Xenon will come anywhere close to your Toyota Hilux/Tacoma in terms of trim levels, equipment levels, refinement or any other parameter (except possibly size!)

Hence it might make sense to bring the Tacoma in on transfer of residence basis. LHD conversion is not required per se - there are plenty of LHD vehicles buzzing around in India too.

But the fact is that if you bring it on Transfer, then some amount of pain will need to be taken in getting it customs cleared, re-registered etc etc.

You will need to decide whether in India you actually need a pickup truck of this type or whether a good SUV will do. If so, you can come in and buy a brand new Toyota Fortuner which is a regular SUV with quite a number of good features and should pretty much serve as a good daily use vehicle for you here. If I were you, I would probably do just the latter.

Cheerio

Originally Posted by David95436

I'm moving to India in the next year. I own a Toyota Tacoma (aka Helux) including the TRD package (with rear differential locker)4x4 and a supercharger. I have not decided if I will bring the Tacoma or buy a truck in India. Does any Mahindra or Tata have these or similar features?

I live in California so the steering wheel is on the left side of the truck. If I bring the Tacoma, I expect I will have to convert it to the right side. Does anyone know the price of conversion?

If I don’t bring my truck and there are no Indian trucks the meet my needs, I could buy a similar truck to mine. Does anyone know the price of a truck like mine in India?


Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[4x4addict]

@Shankar:

Rules were changed about a year or so ago. LHD imports are not allowed anymore. Since I moved on TR a year back, I confirmed this with customs. I was trying to bring a Jeep Wrangler with me. Besides all vehicles now have to go to Mumbai Port. Imports to other ports are not allowed.

Besides depreciation for duty purposes is on the MRP allowing 5% deprecation upto a maximum of 25%.

[valhallen.282]

@david to answer your question not a lot. Any profit you make by selling it will only nullify the pain and frustration that going through re-registering and customs puts you through. Possible price for an 02 model would be about 10~15L so you'd just make the cut past customs and the registration charge. So unless you want to use it; its pointless. However yes, It will fetch you more in INR than to sell in $ there.

[sumeethaldankar]

Forget up a pick up in India, they really do not sell well as personal transports and may not be as practical.You could settle for a SUV like the Ford Endeavor.

[Aroy]

I also would scrap the idea of either importing the truck or buying one in India. Apart from the fact that trucks are used mostly for freight and not personal transport, SUV are more prevalent in India, and come in better trim levels. The price range is quite wide to suit personal finances.

Secondly the fuel prices being what they are, the petrol consumption would soon ensure that you truck remains at home mostly.

[shankar.balan]

thanks for sharing MR T
didnt know this.

A chap I am sort of acquainted with, bought a Ford Ranger Pickup truck with snorkel etc here in Bangalore - direct import. But this was at least 3 years back so I guess he may not have faced a similar problem as outlined in your post.

cheers

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

@Shankar:

Rules were changed about a year or so ago. LHD imports are not allowed anymore. Since I moved on TR a year back, I confirmed this with customs. I was trying to bring a Jeep Wrangler with me. Besides all vehicles now have to go to Mumbai Port. Imports to other ports are not allowed.

Besides depreciation for duty purposes is on the MRP allowing 5% deprecation upto a maximum of 25%.

[n.devdath]

You are coming to India, are a fan of the Hilux, and want a truck like vehicle. Pick up the Toyota Fortuner here in India. It is based on the Hilux platform, has a torquey diesel engine with a proper 4wd, is tough as nails and has a decent loading bay too.
Toyota has a good After Sales Service reputation, has a wide spread network and most of all, is cost effective too.

It would be the best choice for you in India if you can afford it.