[007 Bond]

Daimler AG has inked deal with Force Motors to produce an MPV under its licence a product from its stable. So which model will it be, what do you say guys here are the full details:

Daimler inks deal with Force

Daimler inks deal with Force
OUR BUREAU
Mumbai, July 25: Daimler AG has signed an agreement with Force Motors under which it will license technology to produce a multipurpose vehicle (MPV).

The product technology will facilitate Force Motors’ entry into the passenger and goods vehicle segment. The company makes light commercial vehicles under the Traveller brand.

Daimler had earlier signed a technology licence agreement with Force Motors (the erstwhile Bajaj Tempo) for a modern 2.2-litre common rail engine, which is being used in the Traveller range of vehicles.

Uprated versions of this engine are adapted for use in the SUV — FORCE ONE — to be launched by Force Motors shortly. Similar variants will be adapted for installation in the new MPV, for which the technology licence has been obtained.

Force Motors already has an ongoing arrangement with MBtech Powertrain GmbH (MBtech) for sourcing technical assistance relating to engine installation, vehicle build quality and electronic refinement. It is intended that the MPV, to be introduced under the new technical licence, will also receive support from MBtech.

Force is in talks with the Madhya Pradesh government to locate a new plant for the production of the MPV at Pithampur.

The production of this new product is expected to commence towards the end of this calendar year. It will have an initial capacity of approximately 24,000 vehicles per annum.

[Skyline GT-R]

The vehicle is Mercedes Viano.

[girishglg]

The original MB OM 616 was a gem of an engine that has been a work horse in many of the Tempo/ Force motor people carriers. It is a welcome move to have a tie up for a new MPV with Daimler since we would get some good product on road compared to the current options - Winger/ M & M vehicles.

Look at Force Traveller which has been a segment leader from a long time and still one of the best MUVs around with good comfort and people carrying abilities and probable the only bread winner for Force currently which sells across the country (dont see many Traxx family vehicles in South or in urban context). New engines are also welcome that too from a stature of Daimler. Hope they finally get it right with their FORCE ONE. Wake up Force motors. Start running with some force at least...

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by 007 Bond

...under its licence a product from its stable....

Are you sure about the above highlighted part?

...it will license technology...

The news article which you are referring to mentions only 'technology transfer' license, not license to manufacture the entire vehicle.

[volkman10]

Competition to Tata -Aria?

"Force Motors had recently announced its plans to launch more passenger cars. The Pune based automaker plans to foray into MPVs with the launch of a Daimler sourced machine. This machine which will be sourced from Daimler is none other than the Mercedes-Benz Viano MPV. Force Motors plans to build its MPV under license from the German automaker. The company will bring down a complete assembly line from Daimler to its plant in Pithampur. This 8-seater MPV will be launched in 2013 and should be priced around Rs. 15 lakhs.
The Mercedes-Benz Viano is based on the Vito commercial panel van. The Viano made its first appearance in 1996 and is currently in its second generation. The Viano is available in both front and rear-wheel drive configurations and comes in a three lenghts and two wheelbases. Traditionally powered by a variety of petrol and diesel engines, the Force Motors’ version of the Viano will use the same motor that powers the Force One SUV."
Force Motors MPV Based On The Viano | MotorBeam - Indian Car Bike News & Reviews

[DicKy]

Just as i predicted. But the only thing went wrong is i thought it would be some previous gen MPV and not a current one,especially a Viano.
Anyway lucky that none of the FWD vans were considered, though the price is also 2-3 lakhs more than i thought.

[rohanjf]

It seems quite evident that the MPV will have the F logo, rather than the tristar. That's perfect for Daimler. They will make profit (through royalty?) without having to dilute MB's brand value.

We all know what happens to a brand's value when they are into commercial vehicles' segment!

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by rohanjf

We all know what happens to a brand's value when they are into commercial vehicles' segment!

What happens????
oh, dude. I can't see the brand equity of Merc diluting anywhere with their trucks or buses, also of Toyotas around the world.

[directinjection]

Originally Posted by DicKy

I can't see the brand equity of Merc diluting anywhere with their trucks or buses

Reminds me of a Merc truck advertisement I came across years ago. Below the picture of a Merc truck appeared the following line in bold letters: "The Mercedes Benz of trucks is also Mercedes Benz".

[sarthakgupta]

Scoop : Mercedez Viano as a Force Motors MPV. To be launched by December 2013

Moving away from core SUVs, let us inform you that Force is working on an MPV which they would launch next year. This was revealed by Mr. Parsan Firodiya, MD Force Motors during the launch of Traveller 26 monocoque bus. No other details were revealed regarding the model but yes he did mention that they are working on an MPV which would make its Indian debut around December next year.

Now, as we are writing this article Indiancarsbikes has reported sighting the Mercedes Viano based Force Motors upcoming MPV. Force will manufacture this MPV under license from Daimler. Viano was spotted in Pune earlier as well but that was a long time back and carried ‘Mercedes‘ plates. Naturally, there would be a little differentiation expected between Mercedes badged Viano and the one that Force would be launching. Also, Force MPV is expected to share parts along with the 2.2L FMTECH engine with the Force One SUV.

The test mule here is heavily covered to reveal much about the car but it looks bigger than Innova and Xylo.

Source: http://motorbash.com/scoop-force-mot...c-2013-caught/

Mods: Please update the thread Title. Thanks

[canonball]

This is the old Vito..look at the wipers the are unlike viano which are facing each other. The wipers on this test mule are facing in one direction cheers

[rajeev k]

Not surprising as one more panel van becomes a passenger carrier. Like Maruti's Omni developed from a goods carrier van and the Versa / Eeco from Every. The Renault Traffic (from which Tata derived the winger) started life a s a goods carrier. Nothing wrong if adequately customized to provide comfort to passengers.