Ford, which stopped producing cars and SUVs in India in 2021, is preparing to make a comeback in India. After filing a design patent for the Endeavour, posting some job openings, and shelving plans to sell its Chennai plant to JSW Group, the American automaker has filed a trademark for the name ''Mustang Mach-E", suggesting the brand's comeback soon in the country. However, there has been no official communication from the company.
Unveiled in November 2019, the Mustang Mach-E was the brand's first all-electric model, for which the company already had plans to launch in India. At the time of announcing its decision to cease manufacturing operations in India, Ford said that it would continue to have its presence in the domestic market through some of its niche products (such as the Mustang) through the import route, and will additionally focus on delivering all-new hybrid and fully-electric vehicles like the Mustang Mach-E.
Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will it Arrive as a CBU?
Speaking of electric vehicles, expect Ford to bring in the Mustang Mach-E in India as a completely built-up unit (CBU) in line with an import rule that allows up to 2,500 units to be imported without homologation. However, a CKD route for the Mach E could be mulled over by Ford as big EV manufacturers like Tesla are looking to start EV operations in India.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is eyeing Gujarat as his "first choice" to set up a manufacturing plant. For that matter, Musk had met with PM Narendra Modi in June 2023 during the latter's official state visit to the United States, holding deliberations about setting up an electric vehicle manufacturing facility in the country.
Being a CBU, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is expected to be offered at a starting price of Rs 70 lakh (ex-showroom). Once launched, it will rival the likes of the Audi Q8 e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQE, and BMW iX.
Ford Mustang Mach-E: Battery, Range
Overseas, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is offered with 72kWh and 91kWh battery packs, and comes in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The entry-level Mach-E gets a 72kWh battery and a 265bhp single motor, while the range extender has a 91kWh battery and a 290bhp electric motor. The former claims a range of 470km, while the latter yields a claimed range of 600km.
As for the AWD version, the carmaker offers a dual-motor setup and a 91kWh battery pack, developing 346bhp/580Nm and offering a range of 548km. Meanwhile, the more powerful GT produces 480bhp/850Nm and has a range of 489km.
Ford Endeavour Likely to Launch in 2025
Last month, the American automaker filed a design patent for the Endeavour that is currently sold in Thailand as the Everest. The SUV, which sits on the Ford Ranger's platform, is expected to arrive in India through a CBU route, while the carmaker also is preparing its assembly line for production in 2025.
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