Ford and Mahindra will jointly develop a midsize SUV while battery-powered vehicles are expected to be produced in the near future as well
Targetting mobility, electrification and product development, Ford and Mahindra signed a strategic deal in September 2017 and it is certainly moving in the positive direction. The idea behind the partnership is to get mutual benefits and help each other out strategically.
While the vast global reach of the storied American manufacturer will enable Mahindra to expand its footprint, the homegrown brand’s affordable platform and domestic presence will benefit Ford in terms of improved production efficiency.
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Both Ford and Mahindra have now penned more agreements that will allow them to work together in launching new vehicles especially in emerging markets. The alliance is designed to speed up the development of main products for consumers and sow the path for a midsize SUV that will be based on the platform of Mahindra.
More importantly, it will be jointly developed and each brand will have a version of its own. The companies will evaluate the possibility of a zero-emission vehicle and a compact SUV as well. Then again, they will be developed in association with each other, leveraging potential in different departments.
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Another serious consideration is sharing powertrain options and it could lead to Mahindra supplying engines to a number of Ford vehicles in the future using perhaps Ford’s highly-advanced technologies developed in-house. Connected car solution for customers is of particular interest for Ford as the brand has already announced that 90 percent of its global models will have connectivity one way or the other by the end of this decade.
Ford will give Mahindra access to its manufacturing and distribution network for supporting the Mumbai-based brand in international arena. Mahindra’s four years of expertise in Formula E could be utilised during the development of electric vehicles and battery production.
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