Mahindra and Ford to jointly develop SUVs, EVs and connected car solutions

Six months after Mahindra & Mahindra and Ford Motor Co announced their intent to explore a strategic alliance aimed at leveraging the benefits of Ford’s global reach and expertise and M&M’s scale in India and its operating model, the two companies have signed five MoUs to jointly develop midsize and compact SUVs, electric vehicles and connected car solutions.

The five MoUs, which are non-binding, cover connected vehicle projects, battery electric vehicles, product development of a C-SUV and a B-SUV, and powertrain. 

Under the initiatives, Mahindra and Ford will leverage their strengths in the utility vehicle space to co-develop a midsize sports utility vehicle (C-SUV). Built on the Mahindra platform, the new SUV will drive engineering and commercial efficiencies and will be sold independently by both companies as separate brands. Mahindra and Ford have also agreed to evaluate co-development of a compact SUV and electric vehicle, along with sharing powertrain portfolios, including the supply of Mahindra powertrains to extend Ford’s product range. The two OEMs also plan to co-develop a suite of connected car solutions for consumers.

“Today’s announcement is the next step in the collaboration between Mahindra and Ford,” said Dr Pawan Goenka, managing director, Mahindra and Mahindra. “Both teams are working together on joint development areas in keeping with industry requirements and leveraging mutual strengths. We are excited about the synergies unveiled through this collaboration and the potential opportunities it will bring.”

“Ford is committed to offering the best vehicles, technologies and services that fit the lifestyles and preferences of Indian consumers,” said Jim Farley, Ford executive vice-president and president of Global Markets. “Listening to our customers and incorporating their future needs is the core premise of this collaboration. With utility vehicles and electrification as key focus areas, we are glad to see the progress our two companies have made.”

Glo-cal strategy
Aiming to generate synergies and improve efficiencies with the new initiatives, the strategic alliance between the two companies continues to focus on leveraging the benefits of Ford’s global reach and expertise and Mahindra’s scale in India and its successful operating model.

Teams from both companies will continue to collaborate and work together, for a period of up to three years, to develop further avenues of strategic cooperation such as:

- Extend support for Mahindra in global emerging markets, including Ford’s manufacturing and distribution network

- Collaborate to address future mobility needs

The two OEMs say that the alliance will benefit from the potential of shared investments, economies of scale, technology sharing, higher efficiencies in areas like product development, sourcing and new emerging growth areas of electrification and connected vehicles. 

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