Ford to partner with M&M in India?

CrAzY dRiVeR · 16th December 2007, 15:25

First thing that may come in your mind is- M&Ms partnership with Renault.

Quote:

“the partnership contract between Renault and M&M is clear and well-defined. Both of us are free to hook up with other companies and do what makes sense for our business. The only defining clause is that neither can get into a segment that competes with the Logan”.

Ford may hitch ride with M&M- Automobiles-Auto-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

wolfinstein · 16th December 2007, 16:16

What comes into the mind is..." AGAIN" , I think M&M is better off without Ford.

DirtyDan · 16th December 2007, 17:41

Mahindra better discover customer service and marketing. Ford better rediscover simplicity in engineering. Perhaps the 2 are a match. If on the other hand Ford learns Mahindra service and Mahindra starts letting the accountants do design like Ford has, both companies may be autioned off for the price of a song on Ebay.

Steeroid · 16th December 2007, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyDan

Mahindra better discover customer service and marketing. Ford better rediscover simplicity in engineering. Perhaps the 2 are a match.

Ford started off in India as Mahindra Ford India Limited - a 50:50 joint venture so they've been there, done that. It was Ford that decided that they are better off without Mahindra, so why is there a sudden change of heart?

condor · 16th December 2007, 18:27

Quote:

DirtyDan

: Perhaps the 2 are a match. If on the other hand Ford learns Mahindra service and Mahindra starts letting the accountants do design like Ford has, both companies may be autioned off for the price of a song on Ebay.

A case of mutual destruction ?

Question is Why. Ford already has a base in India. And if M&M does forge this alliance, what's Renault going to do ? And Nissan is already here.

DocG · 16th December 2007, 18:44

hmmm the Ford Escort was a joint venture right...that sure worked well!?!
why try to rekindle a failed romance? Ford should look elsewhere or should play the game on their own!
Once bitten twice shy

4x4addict · 16th December 2007, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Ford started off in India as Mahindra Ford India Limited - a 50:50 joint venture so they've been there, done that. It was Ford that decided that they are better off without Mahindra, so why is there a sudden change of heart?

Typical strategy of multi-nationals have been to tie up with a local company to get a foot hold and then eventually buy out the local stake. I am not sure what benefit Ford gets from Mahindra at this point. When they initially launched they they needed a partner. Not any more.

If any of you remember the reason they split with Mahindra. It was because they wanted to do a 300 crore expansion and Mahindra couldn't come up with their share so they decided to split.

Multinational companies in general are not willing to share the spoils unless they don't have a choice. Look at what Coke did to Thumps up? Buy the brand to get foot in and then kill it.

snaronikar · 16th December 2007, 22:31

Hope this marriage works...Or is it a marriage of convenience as they both need each other. But Ford is favouring Tata to take over both the Jaguar and Land Rover. Then why is this alliance?

Steeroid · 16th December 2007, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

Look at what Coke did to Thumps up? Buy the brand to get foot in and then kill it.

Who said they killed Thums Up? I get Thums Up in the drinks dispenser in my office in Dubai. I used to get Gold Spot and Limca in Nigeria.

Would Parle have managed that?

If anyone killed Thums Up it is the Indian people in their unholy craze for "phoren" stuff. Whatever is not made in India is fantastic, incredible etc. When we had MRF we worshipped Bridgestones, even paid premium to get them. Then Bridgestone started manufacturing in India and soon it became uncool - Michelins were then in. Pirellis even, provided they were "imported" and not made by Birla. Any model that wasnt made in India or even available commonly became desirable.

SORRY for that, guys. Couldnt resist it.

theMAG · 16th December 2007, 23:22

My gut feel is this alliance would be towards common distribution and sales channels

GTO · 17th December 2007, 10:22

It clearly cant be for C segment sedans due to the Logan, nor about MUVs (M&M strength) or high-end sedans (M&M? LOL).

Entry level hatchback perhaps? What is this about?

adya33 · 17th December 2007, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Entry level hatchback perhaps? What is this about?

A model similar to FIAT & TATA tie-up?
But then again is FORD struggling so much?

benbsb29 · 17th December 2007, 11:41

I am surprised.. it should be 'Once bitten, Twice shy'.

16th December 2007, 16:16	#2
wolfinstein BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 994 Thanked: 20 Times	What comes into the mind is..." AGAIN" , I think M&M is better off without Ford.
	() Thanks

16th December 2007, 17:41	#3
DirtyDan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dharamsala, H.P Posts: 2,075 Thanked: 1,565 Times	Ford was Mahindra in N. America Mahindra better discover customer service and marketing. Ford better rediscover simplicity in engineering. Perhaps the 2 are a match. If on the other hand Ford learns Mahindra service and Mahindra starts letting the accountants do design like Ford has, both companies may be autioned off for the price of a song on Ebay.
	() Thanks

16th December 2007, 18:44	#6
DocG BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mumbai - Singapore - Cali - Sydney - S.Korea Posts: 870 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	hmmm the Ford Escort was a joint venture right...that sure worked well!?! why try to rekindle a failed romance? Ford should look elsewhere or should play the game on their own! Once bitten twice shy
	() Thanks

16th December 2007, 22:31	#8
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	Hope this marriage works...Or is it a marriage of convenience as they both need each other. But Ford is favouring Tata to take over both the Jaguar and Land Rover. Then why is this alliance?
	() Thanks

16th December 2007, 23:22	#10
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	My gut feel is this alliance would be towards common distribution and sales channels
	() Thanks

17th December 2007, 10:22	#11
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,546 Thanked: 300,779 Times View My Garage	It clearly cant be for C segment sedans due to the Logan, nor about MUVs (M&M strength) or high-end sedans (M&M? LOL). Entry level hatchback perhaps? What is this about?
	(1) Thanks

17th December 2007, 11:41	#13
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,969 Thanked: 13,230 Times View My Garage	I am surprised.. it should be 'Once bitten, Twice shy'.
	() Thanks