Ford to launch 3 new SUVs; Vitara Brezza and Creta Challengers
Ford will launch 2 new SUVs, codenamed BX744 and BX745, in the Indian market in 2021 and 2022, respectively
It was reported that Ford Motor Company is planning to enter into partnership with the Mahindra to create a new separate entity for the Indian market. A new media report claims that Ford Motor is planning to make an additional investment of around $1 billion in Indian operations over 5 to 7 years. Ford is looking to make the country a centrepiece of its longterm global strategy.
The American automaker will invest close to $500 million to develop 2 brand new SUVs for the Indian market. Adding to it, nearly similar amount will be invested for the Project Black, in partnership with Mahindra & Mahindra. Ford and Mahindra already announced to co-develop an all-new C-segment SUV for the Indian market.
The report claims that the two SUVs, codenamed BX744 and BX745, will be launched in the country in 2021 and 2022, respectively. While the BX744 will be the India-specific sub-4 meter SUV, the BX745 will be a global SUV aimed at China, Brazil and India. This SUV will challenge the likes of Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks and Renault Duster. The sub-4 meter SUV is expected to be slotted below the Ford EcoSport and will directly pitted against the Maruti Vitara Brezza and Tata Nexon. The new model could be launched as the next-generation Ford EcoSport.
A person close to the development reveals that the Ford in tandem with Mahindra will play a lead role in building global volumes for the company. Ford and Mahindra will jointly develop an all-new C-segment SUV, which will challenge the likes of Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tucson and the MG Hector. It is expected that the new model will be based on the next-gen Mahindra XUV500, which is scheduled to be launched in 2020. The new C-segment SUV will be sold under Ford nameplate. Ford is also planning to share electric vehicles with Mahindra on its own Figo architecture.
