Ford’s B-platform could be used by Mahindra for a possible Hyundai Creta rival in the near future
Ford has embarked on a strategic alliance with Mahindra and it would see both brands working towards future sustainability by benefitting mutually in some of the key aspects such as manufacturing, distribution, new product development and electric mobility solutions. Ford has been streamlining its operations globally and is aiming to achieve more efficiency with increased profitability.
It has already been confirmed that the first product to spawn out of the partnership will be a midsize SUV. Mahindra will reportedly launch the next generation XUV500 later next year and it will be a big departure from the existing model. The same platform will give rise to the Ford’s C-segment SUV and it won’t be a badge engineering exercise.
Instead, Ford and Mahindra will ensure distinctive characters on their respective models and they will only share selective parts between each other. Ford’s C-SUV will likely have its name starting with the name E, as traditionally the case, and the company’s Asia Pacific division in Australia will play an integral part in its development.
It is expected to be powered by an all-new 2.0-litre diesel engine with manual and automatic gearbox options. Last October, both parties agreed upon a new pact dealing with Mahindra developing a low-displacement petrol engine with BSVI compliance for use in Ford’s upcoming vehicles from next year as well.
Mahindra is currently finalizing two new deals with Ford as one will focus on using Aspire’s platform for Mahindra badged EV (a possible Verito replacement) as we reported earlier and the other on utilising Ford’s B-platform. The latter catch more interest as the B-platform used by EcoSport could continue to underpin models in the near future.
The architecture could be upgraded to give birth to a Hyundai Creta rival from Mahindra and it may help in driving higher volumes building on the success of the XUV300. It could be used in the next generation EcoSport or on a Ford SUV, which is expected to be positioned slightly higher up the segment along the lines of Creta.