Ford to end independent operations in India; will hold 49% in JV with Mahindra

TusharK · 17th June 2019, 18:35

Rumour: Mahindra & Ford to jointly develop 9 SUVs from 2020

According to a media report, Mahindra and Ford are planning to develop nine new SUVs from 2020. These will include 6 rebadged versions, which will be shared among the two brands and three models that will be exclusively built for Ford for sale in India and the international market.

Ford to end independent operations in India; will hold 49% in JV with Mahindra-mahindraford.jpg

The two carmakers are reportedly investing US$ 600 million in the project, which will include compact and large size SUVs. Ford's contribution is likely to be US$ 200 million. Both brands have chalked out a plan for the next 6-8 years and additional investments would be made if required.

The new SUVs could be built by Mahindra, which could use one of Ford's manufacturing plants that has underutilized capacity.

In March 2018, Mahindra and Ford had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop two new SUVs and a small electric car. The two carmakers have also agreed to develop a midsize SUV and share platforms and powertrains.

Source: Financial Express

Link to Team-BHP News

sri_tesla · 17th June 2019, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by TusharK

[b]
The two carmakers are reportedly investing US$ 600 million in the project, which will include compact and large size SUVs. Ford's contribution is likely to be US$ 200 million. Both brands have chalked out a plan for the next 6-8 years and additional investments would be made if required.

Link to Team-BHP News

With so much money and long roadmap (6-8 years) involved, I wonder how many of these will be electric? For any company that's planning long term road maps now, should really think hard about the changing market dynamics towards electrification.

landcruiser123 · 17th June 2019, 21:39

With the resources M&M have in terms of Ford and Ssangyong, it'll be a shame if they don't become #3 in the Indian car market.

I sincerely wish Indian auto makers have a global presence soon.

DicKy · 18th June 2019, 00:19

Looks like they are going all out on the JV.

Of the six rebadged versions, hope atleast a couple will be based on a Ford platform.

More specifically the new CD6 platform that underpins the new Explorer and Aviator.

kiku007 · 18th June 2019, 06:57

"Gaurav Vangal, country head, production forecasting at IHS Markit, said the development may lead to effective cost-cutting exercise and benefit both the companies. “It’s a marriage of two opposites. While Ford will learn the Indian way of doing business through low costs, M&M will have global learning which will raise the standard of the vehicles,” he added."

I remember the below joke.

"In all probability, the conversation between Isadore Duncan and Anatole France, who were discussing eugenics, came to a sudden stop when Isadore said: “Imagine a child with my beauty and your brains!” and Anatole responded: “Yes, but imagine a child with my beauty and your brains!”

Bring down costs and raise standards? I'll wait to see how that's done.

PratikPatel · 18th June 2019, 12:34

Looks like Ford and Mahindra seem to think that the future of Indian market is in SUVs akin to the American market. Not one hatchback or sedan in the whole plan. What gives Ford? Here are fans like me waiting for a decent sedan to replace the Fiesta (still hope that Ford introduces a new Mondeo or Focus) and all we hear about is SUVs

rovingeye · 18th June 2019, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by PratikPatel

Looks like Ford and Mahindra seem to think that the future of Indian market is in SUVs akin to the American market. Not one hatchback or sedan in the whole plan. What gives Ford? Here are fans like me waiting for a decent sedan to replace the Fiesta (still hope that Ford introduces a new Mondeo or Focus) and all we hear about is SUVs

I think word out on the street is that Ford will exclusively be focusing on SUVs and trucks only from here on out.

Quote:

Ford announced that in the “next few years” they would only sell two cars in North America — the Mustang and the yet to be unveiled Focus Active crossover that will launch next year.

.....

Ford feels that you won’t need a small car to get great fuel economy in the near future.

myavu · 18th June 2019, 13:06

What about re-badging XUV 3oo with Ford logos and all black interiors, delete the existing touchscreen and add Sync 3 from Ford and call it Next Gen Ecosport

OMG Wishful thinking

fx45 · 18th June 2019, 13:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by myavu

What about re-badging XUV 3oo with Ford logos and all black interiors, delete the existing touchscreen and add Sunc 3 from Ford and call it Next Gen Ecosport

OMG Wishful thinking

Wont be surprised if the next-gen EcoSport for India shares the platform or more with the XUV300.

The EcoSport will be replaced globally with a different vehicle, so pretty sure Ford wont invest much individually for just an INdia specific suv

volkman10 · 17th July 2019, 07:32

Having carved out China as an independent market from the Asia-Pacific region, US carmaker Ford Motor has formed an International Markets Group (IMG) consisting of 100 emerging markets as a separate cluster.

Quote:

The IMG structure will be operational by January 2020, and the company's Indian subsidiary, supported by its strategic alliance with Mahindra, is expected to play a crucial role in its future growth map

Quote:

It will accelerate Mahindra’s globalisation strategy and for Ford — joint projects on B and C segment SUVs and MPVs — with the help of Mahindra’s best cost sourcing capability will ensure optimised product development cost

Link

volkman10 · 7th August 2019, 15:06

Mahindra- Ford EV development:

An electric version of the Ford Aspire (co-developed with Ford) launch in 2021.

Quote:

We will have four EV models in the PV segment - eVerito, eKUV (launch by end-2019), electric XUV300 (launch by end-2020) and an electric version of the Ford Aspire (co-developed with Ford, launch in 2021).

Link

fx45 · 7th August 2019, 15:24

ACI has already driven the protoype. It is based on the non-sub-4m Figo Sedan sold in South Africa etc.

NaXal · 13th September 2019, 00:30

New rumours are coming in about Ford taking another step towards this rumoured soft exit.

https://www.livemint.com/auto-news/f...224064019.html

It seems they are looking for buyers to sell of their factories in India.

Although Ford is firm with it's official stance. As per their press release or replies in social channels like Twitter, Ford is committed towards Indian market with long term planning.

spr1ngleo · 19th September 2019, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaXal

New rumours are coming in about Ford taking another step towards this rumoured soft exit.

https://www.livemint.com/auto-news/f...224064019.html

It seems they are looking for buyers to sell of their factories in India.

Although Ford is firm with it's official stance. As per their press release or replies in social channels like Twitter, Ford is committed towards Indian market with long term planning.

With such discouraging speculations, will it be still wise to go for EcoSport TDCI? TIA.

NaXal · 19th September 2019, 08:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by spr1ngleo

With such discouraging speculations, will it be still wise to go for EcoSport TDCI? TIA.

Ford has sold enough number of TDCi engined cars. Specially, large number of EcoSports.

Spares won't be a problem in future, specially when they are moving towards JV with Mahindra, who has good number of ASC presence.

TDCi is a very much reliable engine so is the EcoSport, as a car, it's well tested & present model is totally niggle free, very durable product.

After sales service wouldn't be much of an issue, specially with large number of independent multi brand service centres opening up.

So even if this rumour turns worst, one would suffer on the resale at max. But then again, when was Ford known for its resale value in anyway?

Thanks.

17th June 2019, 18:35	#211
TusharK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Pune Posts: 6,247 Thanked: 55,572 Times	re: Ford to end independent operations in India; will hold 49% in JV with Mahindra Rumour: Mahindra & Ford to jointly develop 9 SUVs from 2020 According to a media report, Mahindra and Ford are planning to develop nine new SUVs from 2020. These will include 6 rebadged versions, which will be shared among the two brands and three models that will be exclusively built for Ford for sale in India and the international market. The two carmakers are reportedly investing US$ 600 million in the project, which will include compact and large size SUVs. Ford's contribution is likely to be US$ 200 million. Both brands have chalked out a plan for the next 6-8 years and additional investments would be made if required. The new SUVs could be built by Mahindra, which could use one of Ford's manufacturing plants that has underutilized capacity. In March 2018, Mahindra and Ford had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop two new SUVs and a small electric car. The two carmakers have also agreed to develop a midsize SUV and share platforms and powertrains. Source: Financial Express Link to Team-BHP News
	(5) Thanks

17th June 2019, 21:39	#213
landcruiser123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,985 Thanked: 6,857 Times	re: Ford to end independent operations in India; will hold 49% in JV with Mahindra With the resources M&M have in terms of Ford and Ssangyong, it'll be a shame if they don't become #3 in the Indian car market. I sincerely wish Indian auto makers have a global presence soon.
	() Thanks

18th June 2019, 00:19	#214
DicKy Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TVPM Posts: 3,818 Thanked: 11,703 Times	re: Ford to end independent operations in India; will hold 49% in JV with Mahindra Looks like they are going all out on the JV. Of the six rebadged versions, hope atleast a couple will be based on a Ford platform. More specifically the new CD6 platform that underpins the new Explorer and Aviator.
	(1) Thanks

18th June 2019, 06:57	#215
kiku007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: AU Posts: 2,321 Thanked: 7,158 Times	re: Ford to end independent operations in India; will hold 49% in JV with Mahindra "Gaurav Vangal, country head, production forecasting at IHS Markit, said the development may lead to effective cost-cutting exercise and benefit both the companies. “It’s a marriage of two opposites. While Ford will learn the Indian way of doing business through low costs, M&M will have global learning which will raise the standard of the vehicles,” he added." I remember the below joke. "In all probability, the conversation between Isadore Duncan and Anatole France, who were discussing eugenics, came to a sudden stop when Isadore said: “Imagine a child with my beauty and your brains!” and Anatole responded: “Yes, but imagine a child with my beauty and your brains!” Bring down costs and raise standards? I'll wait to see how that's done.
	(13) Thanks

18th June 2019, 12:34	#216
PratikPatel BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 285 Thanked: 1,243 Times	re: Ford to end independent operations in India; will hold 49% in JV with Mahindra Looks like Ford and Mahindra seem to think that the future of Indian market is in SUVs akin to the American market. Not one hatchback or sedan in the whole plan. What gives Ford? Here are fans like me waiting for a decent sedan to replace the Fiesta (still hope that Ford introduces a new Mondeo or Focus) and all we hear about is SUVs
	(1) Thanks

18th June 2019, 13:06	#218
myavu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Delhi - Kochi Posts: 1,502 Thanked: 1,685 Times	re: Ford to end independent operations in India; will hold 49% in JV with Mahindra What about re-badging XUV 3oo with Ford logos and all black interiors, delete the existing touchscreen and add Sync 3 from Ford and call it Next Gen Ecosport OMG Wishful thinking Last edited by Vid6639 : 18th June 2019 at 14:22. Reason: Sync
	() Thanks

7th August 2019, 15:24	#222
fx45 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,823 Thanked: 384 Times	re: Ford to end independent operations in India; will hold 49% in JV with Mahindra ACI has already driven the protoype. It is based on the non-sub-4m Figo Sedan sold in South Africa etc.
	() Thanks

13th September 2019, 00:30	#223
NaXal BHPian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Kolkata Posts: 555 Thanked: 1,986 Times	re: Ford to end independent operations in India; will hold 49% in JV with Mahindra New rumours are coming in about Ford taking another step towards this rumoured soft exit. https://www.livemint.com/auto-news/f...224064019.html It seems they are looking for buyers to sell of their factories in India. Although Ford is firm with it's official stance. As per their press release or replies in social channels like Twitter, Ford is committed towards Indian market with long term planning.
	(1) Thanks