Mahindra & Ford join forces to develop a new compact-SUV

Mahindra and Ford will jointly develop a new compact-SUV, an electric vehicle and connected car solutions for India and other emerging markets. 

Mahindra and Ford have further strengthened their partnership. The duo announced that they’ll jointly develop new SUVs and a small electric vehicle, among other initiatives, for India as well as other emerging markets.

After announcing their alliance back in September 2017, Mahindra and Ford have now signed five new memoranda of understanding (MoU) to invest in a strategic alliance so as to push the development of new products for India and other emerging markets. As per their official statement, the main aim would be to co-develop a midsize sports utility vehicle (C-SUV) for the Indian market. Our guess is that it would something that’ll sit between the EcoSport and XUV500 – a Creta-rival, perhaps. The new compact-SUV will be based on a Mahindra platform, but it will be sold independently by both the companies as separate brands. Additionally, the partnership will also see both firms develop an electric vehicle. Mahindra and Ford will also share powertrains. Apart from new vehicles, the two companies will co-develop new connected car solutions for consumers.  

Commenting on the development, Dr Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra and Mahindra, said,  'Today’s announcement is the next step in the collaboration between Mahindra and Ford. Both teams are working together on joint development areas in keeping with industry requirements and leveraging mutual strengths. We are excited about the synergies unveiled through this collaboration and the potential opportunities it will bring.' 

'Ford is committed to offering the best vehicles, technologies and services that fit the lifestyles and preferences of Indian consumers. Listening to our customers and incorporating their future needs is the core premise of this collaboration. With utility vehicles and electrification as key focus areas, we are glad to see the progress our two companies have made,' said Jim Farley, Ford Executive Vice President and President of Global Markets.

Both companies will continue to collaborate and work together for a period of up to three years in order to develop 'further avenues of strategic cooperation,' says the official release. There’s no timeline on when the first Mahindra-Ford product will roll out, but we expect it to see the light of the day only after 2019.