Words: Shubham Choukse
Ford and Mahindra have recently announced a strategic collaboration. The main focus will be on electrification of products, connected vehicle projects, shared mobility programmes and product development.
Mahindra has a more widespread reach in the country, it is also a key player in the utility vehicle market and it is the only manufacturer with an electric model range currently in the country, so Ford will surely benefit from all these factors. On the other hand Mahindra with the help of Ford will try to enter into other global markets including the US.
“Ford is committed to India and this alliance can help us deliver the best vehicles and services to customers while profitably growing in the world’s fifth largest vehicle market. Our two companies have a long history of cooperation and mutual respect. Our two companies have a long history of cooperation and mutual respect. The memorandum of understanding we have signed today with Mahindra will allow us to work together to take advantage of the changes coming in the auto industry. The enormous growth potential in the utility market and the growing importance of mobility and affordable battery electric vehicles are all aligned with our strategic priorities.” said Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president and president of Global Markets.
Pawan Goenka, managing director, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd elaborated: “The changes facing the automotive industry globally are triggered by the accelerated rise of new technologies, sustainability policies and new models of urban shared mobility. Given these changes we see the need to anticipate new market trends, explore alternatives and look for ways to collaborate even as we compete and build powerful synergies that will allow rapid exploitation of the exciting new opportunities. Today’s announcement builds on the foundation laid through our past partnership with Ford and will open opportunities for both of us.”
This is not the first time that Mahindra and Ford have come together. In 1995 Ford entered India through a strategic partnership with Mahindra, which ended in the year 2005.