Until recently, Ford had big plans with Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra. The two automakers had plans for a joint venture that would lead to a pair of new compact B-segment and C-segment SUVs and a Mahindra Marazzo-based crossover/minivan/MPV, a move that would also allow Ford to transition away from some of its underperforming assets in the country. However, as we reported earlier this year, Ford decided to call off that joint venture, though the two were reportedly going to move forward with the development of new vehicles. Now, those plans have been scrapped as well.
Mahindra Marazzo
The two automakers have now ended plans to share engines and platforms, along with the joint venture that would have led to Mahindra acquiring Ford’s Indian operations and Ford helping it expand internationally. As of this writing, neither automaker has specified what led to the decision.
Ford previously stated that it ended the joint venture based on changes in global economic and business conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as FoMoCo’s reassessment of its global plans. As we recently reported, The Blue Oval is planning on bringing the Ford Focus and Ford Focus ST to India and is also considering the Ford Ranger Raptor and Ford Bronco for that market. Additionally, a handful of semi-assembled Rangers were recently spotted outside a Jayem Automotive factory.
While India is one of the world’s largest automotive markets, Ford has had trouble finding a foothold there, only holding around three percent market share. Given this change of plans and its intentions to bring existing global products to India, it’s entirely possible that Ford intends to ditch its plans to develop region-specific products in the country altogether.
We’ll have more on Ford India and its future product mix soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
Big winners, big losers…. who they will be, only time will tell… India and China are case book studies of similarities and differences. Ford seems to have decided for the time being that the differences are greater than the similarities as found in China. Backing away from this scale of market potential is a huge business decision for Ford and India. Will the next contestant please step up to play global automotive supremacy? Just sayin…..
India has already taken over Ford in the us
India fleeced Ford, when they bought Jaguar from Ford at Dollar General Store Prices, after Ford spend a countless amount to modernize Jaguar, another one of “Genius” Mullally’s blunder. The celebration at Tata Motors is still ongoing.