[fiat_tarun]

SsangYong to join Mahindra-Ford alliance in product sharing - Link

This article also confirms the Mahindra led C-SUV (Next gen XUV500) and the Ford led B-SUV (next gen Ecosport)

In a bid to enhance scale and accelerate global expansion, the Mahindra- Ford alliance will bring on board Ssangyong Motor Company to build mid-size SUVs for overseas markets. The products designed and developed in India by Mahindra and South Korea by Ssangyong Motor may also be rebadged as Ford to expand into the emerging markets. Pawan Goenka, MD, Mahindra & Mahindra confirmed to ET about the discussions with Ssangyong for sharing product platforms that include the Mahindra-led C-SUV and Ford-led B-SUV. There are also talks on overseas market access.

Both the B (B772) and C segment SUVs (W601), which are under development for the JV company, will be shared by Ssangyong Motor Company. Similarly, products made by Ssangyong may be used by Ford for the global markets.

A South Korean news agency reported that the senior management of Ford may soon be visiting Korea to discuss the execution of this plan. To be sure, Ford has created an International Markets Group consisting of 100 emerging markets, which became a reporting business unit from 1st of January 2020. Ford's Indian operations MD Anurag Mehrotra has been given responsibility of product portfolio management in partnership with Mahindra to cater to an 18-million unit annual market.

It’s a win-win for all three companies. Mahindra and Ssangyong can build scale by offering products to Ford and get incremental volumes. For the US car maker, it gets a fresh product portfolio for India and emerging markets at about 70% of the cost. Ssangyong, meanwhile, has done well in the domestic market thanks to a new range of compact SUVs like Tivoli and Korando C, but its international business has been under constant pressure due to demand challenges in Russia, China and some markets in Europe.The incremental volumes to be supplied to Ford will offer a much needed boost to the South Korean SUV specialist, which has been operating sub-scale for years and hence losing money.

Ssangyong Motor Company registered a decline of more than 5% to about 1.35 lakh units in 2019, registering a steeper decline than the market, which slipped 0.8% in domestic sales in 2019 at 1.52 million vehicles. Exports from South Korea, however, declined 4.5% to 6.39 million vehicles in 2019. For Mahindra, exports account for just 7% of its total production, and the new JV will help in accelerating international business for the maker of Scorpio and XUV, helping the automaker generate a fifth of its volume sales overseas

[SaurabhB]

Originally Posted by Roadster17

Ford Mahindra marriage might be good for the bride and the groom ( you decide who is what) but I am pretty sure the offsprings will not be a star. Can't even imagine Fords looking like KUVs on road having third class plastics and interiors and lots of rattles and niggles as marriage gift.

Awesome and absolutely spot on.

[hserus]

Originally Posted by SaurabhB

Awesome and absolutely spot on.

What is so spot on about this? They both said they are sharing platforms, not badges, long back, and you folks are rattling on about Ford hopefully not getting niggles and rattles. Please own a Mahindra first and then comment with first hand knowledge, by the way.

[SaurabhB]

Originally Posted by hserus

What is so spot on about this? They both said they are sharing platforms, not badges, long back, and you folks are rattling on about Ford hopefully not getting niggles and rattles. Please own a Mahindra first and then comment with first hand knowledge, by the way.

Sir, with all due respect, kindly note that I own a Mahindra XUV 500 W11 (O) 4x2 MT MY 2018 and I know what I am talking about.

I have driven her for approx. 20000 Kms till date and taken her to some extremely difficult & almost non existent terrains in Sikkim & Darjeeling.

Please refer Page No. 525/526 of "https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/official-new-car-reviews/109469-mahindra-xuv500-test-drive-review-525.html"
wherein I have posted the pros and cons for Mahindra XUV 500 from my perspective.

While there are good things about this vehicle such as engine, gearbox, handling, AC, road presence, climbing steep inclines etc., but at the end of the day you feel that you have wasted your money due to ever present rattles, vibrations, harsh ride quality, heavy side-to-side body roll etc. which takes away the feel good factor that you expect in a 20L vehicle.

I have also driven Ford vehicles such as Endeavour and FreeStyle and hence feel that if these vehicles start getting produced with trademark Mahindra rattles, ride quality, body roll etc., then whatever reputation Ford has built in India will vanish in thin air.

Request once again to kindly note that the above are my personal experiences and feelings and not intended to hurt Mahindra owners in any way.

[avimal]

They have improved the braking in xuv when i compare my 2012 model to current model. But suspension feels same. They need to badly work on improving suspension or else it may not repeat the same success in market.

[volkman10]

Competition Commission of India gives nod to Ford-Mahindra joint venture.

Both the companies will have equal representation on the board, but Mahindra will get to choose the chairman who will have the casting vote. The management will be appointed by the Mumbai-based company in consultation with its American partner.

Both Ford and Mahindra will continue to have their separate brands and dealerships in India, but vehicles will be co-developed and the companies will strategically manufacture vehicles for each other. Ford will benefit from Mahindra’s knowledge of the Indian market while the latter will be able to leverage Ford’s technological know-how and a global presence

Link

[Driving80kph]

I am not going to belittle any company here but asking Mahindra about Indian market is like using Bing as your default search engine. You'll get a response, sure, but not the one which is relevant.

[volkman10]

Mahindra-powered Ford EcoSport to launch in early 2021

Mahindra-sourced 1.2 turbo-petrol engine will replace Ford's 1.0-litre EcoBoost unit.

Ford will make use of Mahindra’s 1.2-litre T-GDI engine as a replacement for the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine in the EcoSport. The 1.2-litre T-GDI (Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection) petrol unit belongs to Mahindra’s new mStallion family of engines. Codenamed G12, the BS6-compliant engine produces a healthy 130hp and 230Nm of torque. While a 6-speed manual is expected to be standard, Ford is also likely to introduce a dual-clutch automatic option.

Before the EcoSport T-GDI hits the market, the Mahindra engine will make its debut in the XUV300 compact SUV this April.

Link

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Mahindra-powered Ford EcoSport to launch in early 2021

Is there any chance of the new BS6 Endeavour getting "diluted" due to this confluence?

[vvijay]

Originally Posted by cool_dube

Is there any chance of the new BS6 Endeavour getting "diluted" due to this confluence?

I honestly don't think so. The new BS6 Endeavour is a product that is thoroughly engineered and developed in the Ford of Australia's Research and Engineering Center for ASEAN and Middle East markets. Ford in India has JV'ed with Mahindra to compete and win in sub 20 lac space and all their products are focused in that range. This clearly brings us to the safe conclusion that the Endeavour will continue to remain a true blue SUV for India.

Cheers,
Vijay

[nisshith]

So its only 1.0 L Ecoboost Engine which will be source from Mahindra. What is the future of the 1.5L Dragon series?

[vvijay]

Originally Posted by nisshith

So its only 1.0 L Ecoboost Engine which will be source from Mahindra. What is the future of the 1.5L Dragon series?

It's not the 1.0L Ecoboost, Ford is sourcing the Mahindra's 1.2L direct-injection turbo-charged gasoline engine (called mStallion that was unveiled by Mahindra during Auto Expo 2020) as an additional engine variant to the EcoSport. The 1.5L Dragon engine is expected to continue doing its duty.

Cheers,
Vijay

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by GeneralJazz

Why Kannur? They already have a dealer, PVS Ford. Is it shutting down? We have a booking there for a Figo AT. Already its been nearly a month since the booking and still no expected delivery date.

PVS Ford is not going anywhere! As per one PVS Ford personal whom I met during my recent service, Kairali Ford is trying expand their dealership in North Kerala (especially in Kasargod where they believe is a good market for Mustang & Endeavour).

[dragracer567]

So does that mean that the current-gen Ecosport stays? If Ford decides to keep selling an outdated model, an engine transplant won't save it!

[fiat_tarun]

Originally Posted by dragracer567

So does that mean that the current-gen Ecosport stays? If Ford decides to keep selling an outdated model, an engine transplant won't save it!

The next gen Ecosport is currently in development in Brazil with a launch sometime in 2021, so expect it in India only in end 2021 / early 2022.

While the Ecosport is the oldest of the sub 4m CUV/SUV's, IMHO it's still a good buy especially if one likes to drive. The 1.2TGDI with 130Hp should be a hoot to drive.