Mahindra-Ford Developing C Segment SUV In 5/7 Seat Options Like Harrier

mahindra ford suv india rear
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Codenamed W601 and W605, the Ford C segment SUV will be based on the next generation Mahindra XUV500’s platform

While eliminating sedans across its portfolio in the United States came as a shocker, Ford has also been narrowing down its platforms to reduce the production cost and streamlining operations meant that the downtime from concept to model roll out stage has been reduced drastically.

The new strategies come on the back of Ford enduring big losses and the focus towards having a sustained future. With the global auto industry shifting towards electrification and highly advanced autonomous technologies, mainstream manufacturers are responding with exploring potential synergies.

Ford has partnered with Mahindra & Mahindra in several criteria and it plays a key role in the billions of cost-slashing measures planned internationally. The American auto major signed a MoU with Mahindra back in September 2017 and several rumours started emerging since then regarding the final outcomes.

A recent report emerged on the internet suggests that all the five assignments are at a point of reaching the final agreement and an announcement is due within a month. They involve several factors like electrification, connected vehicle technology, mobility solutions, product development, distribution, sourcing and commercial efficiencies.

mahindra ford engine

In the period of next three to five years, the tie-up was said to save between 500 million USD to one million USD for both the parties due to the sharing of three vehicle architectures and other activities. A few months ago Mahindra announced the manufacturing of a small capacity petrol engine for Ford.

But, the biggest official statement made public yet was the co-development of a midsize SUV in March 2018. The next reported announcement will be known within a month regarding the advanced contract between both companies based on the C segment SUV.

SsangYong e-SIV concept Side

Ford and Mahindra are convening regarding electric vehicle architecture as well as a B segment SUV. Codenamed W601 and W605, the C segment SUV is likely being taken in the same route as Tata H5X and H7X. The H5X spawned Harrier five-seater while the H7X will give rise to a seven-seater derivate of the Harrier.

Mahindra could use its production base in Chakan for the rollout of the upcoming Ford SUV that could still be a couple of years away. It has already been said that late 2020 bound next generation Mahindra XUV500 will give birth to a Ford version. The American brand’s expertise in B segment and electric architecture will come in handy for future prospects of Mahindra.

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