Global Vehicles U.S.A. Inc. expects to start selling Mahindra-brand imported diesel light trucks in the United States in March 2009.

Global is signing up retailers for the truck-only franchise. The suburban Atlanta company says it has issued 288 letters of intent to dealers.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. of Mumbai, India, has been known primarily as a tractor manufacturer. It has tractor sales and production operations around the world. The company also is a long-standing supplier of a diesel-engine Willys Jeep under license to the Indian military.