Mahindra and Ford are building upon their strategic alliance. Both companies have signed a new agreement to co-develop a midsize Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) for the Indian and other emerging markets. The new SUV will be using a Mahindra platform along with the powertrain as well. The new vehicle will be a C-segment SUV which could be a replacement for the Mahindra XUV500 and will be cross badged by Ford. Mahindra and Ford are also working on a new telematics control unit which also hints that the upcoming SUV could be a connected vehicle. Mahindra group is also developing a new low-displacement petrol engine which it will supply to Ford. The American carmaker will be using the powertrain in its future vehicles from 2020 which suggests that the new engine will be BS6 compliant.
Also Read: Ford Likely To End Independent Business In India; Signs New Deal With Mahindra
The new C Segment SUV could be a replacement for the XUV500 and could be cross-badged by Ford. Dr Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra said, “I am happy with the significant progress we have made and synergies we have created since the announcement of our strategic alliance with Ford in 2017. Today's announcement is another significant step in the collaboration between our two companies. Having identified several areas for joint development, both companies will continue to work together to develop products using common product platforms. This will reduce product development costs and gain economies of scale for both companies.”
Jim Farley, president of Ford New Businesses, Technology & Strategy said, "With today's announcement, we not only strengthen our ongoing partnership with Mahindra but also sharpen our competitiveness in an important emerging market like India. Ford's technological leadership combined with Mahindra's successful operating model and product prowess will surely help us deliver a vehicle that will meet the expectations of customers in India as well as other emerging markets."
The new alliance will give additional synergies to both the carmakers and will help with better engineering and commercial efficiencies.
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