Auto giants, Mahindra and Ford have been working on electric vehicles and SUVs to explore the local and global markets with their co-creations
A sports utility vehicle (SUV), jointly developed by auto majors, Mahindra group and Ford will soon foray into the Indian SUV segment. The two companies had decided to work on electric vehicles and SUVs as part of its partnership. R Kanakaraj, Ford India, general manager-parts, supply and logistics, informed that the automaker had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mahindra Group to make electric vehicles.
He said that the two companies had been working on the electric vehicles as part of its initiatives taken up in the collaboration pact.
Partnership goals
Mahindra group and Ford had signed around five MoUs that aimed to leverage their command in the sports utility vehicle segment and co-create a whole new series of products – midsize SUVs, compact size SUVs and electric vehicles. The goal was also to achieve mobility and connectivity developments.
The Ford chief shared about the joint creation on the launch of its compact sedan, Aspire. He also said that the sales of these vehicles were expected to stand at 4.78 lakh units this year in comparison to 4.10 lakh units in 2017. Talking about the increasing fuel prices in India, he informed that the hike had affected the overall sales, but the sale of compact sedans observed a growth. Ford’s Aspire has claimed to be the only compact sedan in India to offer a 5-year warranty or one lakh kilometres. The company had also come up with includes a 2-year factory and a 3-year extended warranty.
India’s major automaker, Mahindra is supporting the American carmaker to enter the domestic market through its partnership. Ford has its footprint globally and will be assisting Mahindra in expanding at the international front. The two are keen to combine their respective content and expertise and develop new models in the future.
