Mahindra all-diesel pickups and SUVs manufactured in India will be available at the Team Mahindra dealership in Hobart owned by Team Imports in late 2008 and early 2009 when they make their debut in the U.S. market.

Mike Rudolph, one of Team Imports owners, said the Mahindra’s “out of the box” vehicles with their four-wheel drive, automatic turbo-diesel engines, good fuel economy and reasonable pricing has prompted him to become of the company’s 200 U.S. franchisees, and the only one in Northwest Indiana.

The basic Mahindra SUV will have a $23,100 price point compared to a similar U.S.-made vehicle with a similar powertrain and features that have a price tag that’s $10,000 higher, Rudolph said. Plus, Mahindra vehicles all carry a four-year, 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

“Mahindra knows they have one chance to get right in the U.S. market, so they’re making sure everything’s right quality-wise,” Rudolph said. “They’re very technologically oriented and on top of the science.”