Ford Motor Company and Mahindra & Mahindra have mutually ended their proposed joint venture. Ford has also stopped working on new products planned under the new JV. In fact, Ford will develop new products individually for the Indian market.
For people not in the know, Ford was working on 3 projects – a C-SUV based on XUV500, a sub-4 meter SUV and a compact SUV. The company is also planning to import some of its global SUVs and products under the government’s rule of importing 2,500 cars without going through local homologation process.
Ford Territory Based C-SUV
Ford is preparing a new C-SUV, which will be based on the Territory SUV. If media reports are to be believed, the new C-SUV will retain the original design planned under the JV. It was conceptualised & designed by Pininfarina, the Italian design house owned by Mahindra & Mahindra. The Ford Territory is a 7-seater SUV, which is on sale in China and Brazil. The platform is developed by Chinese carmaker JMV or Jiangling Motors Corporation.
The American automaker will take help of its R&D centre in Australia to maintain global standards. The Territory has a 2,716mm wheelbase, which is similar to Mahindra’s W601 (XUV700). It is expected to be powered by a 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine, which also powers the Endeavour. However, Ford will differently tune this engine for the C-SUV.
Adding to it, the Ford C-SUV could also use the locally assembled 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine. This engine produces 143bhp of power at 4,500-5,200rpm and a peak torque of 225Nm between 1,500rpm and 4,000rpm. The Chinese-spec engine also comes with a 48V mild-hybrid system. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). The SUV will be positioned against the likes of the Tata Harrier/Safari, MG Hector and the Mahindra XUV700.
Ford Compact SUVs
The two compact SUVs planned under the JV will now be developed by Ford Motor Company; however, the launch could be delayed by 6 months. The new SUVs were planned to be equipped with Mahindra’s engines; however, Ford will need to find another supplier or invest in upgrading its own engines. The existing Ford EcoSport will receive a facelift model towards the end of this year. It is reportedly to be offered with existing 1.5L petrol and diesel engines.
The new compact SUVs could be based on the modified version of the existing Fiesta’s platform, which underpins the Figo twins and the EcoSport. The platform is compatible to accommodate different body styles and engines.
Next-gen Ford Endeavour
Ford is working on the next-gen Endeavour, which is scheduled to make global debut in 2022. The new SUV could also make its way to our market, as it is hugely popular in India. The new model is reportedly to feature new engine options along with new design and interior. The 2022 Ford Endeavour is expected to be offered with 3 engine options – a 210bhp, 2.0L Twin-turbocharged diesel, a 250bhp, 3.0L V6 diesel, and a 270bhp, 2.3L turbocharged petrol with a plug-in hybrid system.
CBU models
American automaker is planning to expand its India product portfolio with its 4 global models including Ford Ranger Raptor pickup, Focus, Focus ST hot hatch and the Mach E. The Ranger Raptor is expected to be introduced in the second half of this year, the Focus twins are likely to arrive in 2022. One must note that there is no official word on the upcoming global products and their launch timeline.
