Confirmed: Mahindra, Ford to jointly work on midsize SUV for India, emerging markets

Aditya Chatterjee Updated: April 18, 2019, 06:46 PM IST

Mahindra and Mahindra and Ford have entered into an agreement to co-develop a midsize sports utility vehicle (SUV) that will be sold in India as well as other emerging markets. The joint press release mentions that the new agreement reinforces the steady progress made since the announcement of the strategic alliance between the two companies in September 2017, followed by an announcement on powertrain sharing and connected car solutions in October 2018. The upcoming midsize SUV (C-SUV) will a common Mahindra product platform and powertrain, thus driving engineering and commercial efficiencies.

"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," mentioned, Dr Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, M&M Ltd.

"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," said Jim Farley, president of Ford New Businesses, Technology & Strategy. "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 and emerging markets"

The release also mentions that the agreement will help both the companies leverage benefits in terms of Ford's global reach and expertise and Mahindra's scale and successful operating model in India. Teams from both these companies will ontinue to collaborate on all areas of mutual interest including electrification, distribution and product development. Earlier this fiscal year, the alliance signed an agreement with Mahindra Group to develop and supply a low-displacement petrol engine for use in Ford's present and future vehicles, beginning in 2020. Mahindra and Ford also announced joint development of a telematics control unit.