It was in March last year when Ford and Mahindra extended their collaboration by signing five memoranda of understanding (MoU). One of them was to co-engineer a midsize SUV. Now, the duo has confirmed that the midsize SUV will, in fact, cater to the C-segment. In other words, it will be a direct rival to the Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass and the upcoming MG Hector. The only other detail that has been confirmed is that the SUV in the works will have a Mahindra-developed platform and powertrain. Ford, on the other hand, is likely to inject its technological prowess.

Ford Kuga Sketch

Ford and Mahindra say that the SUV will be a benchmark product, not just in the segment it will cater to in India but also in other emerging markets. That means it will either be exported from India or the same recipe will be carried over for local production in those markets. Apart from the midsize SUV, the duo will also be working to introduce a compact SUV which should take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks and the upcoming Kia Tusker (SP Concept).

Exciting times ahead? Indeed! Mahindra and Ford have been in talks about several collaborative projects since 2017. Besides working on a couple of SUVs, as mentioned above, the duo will also join forces to introduce an electric vehicle and develop connected car technologies for India. In October last year, the duo came out and made an announcement that they will be co-engineering a telematics control unit and Mahindra will supply low-displacement, BS VI-compliant petrol engines to Ford. That last one will come into play sometime next year, probably before this fiscal year comes to a close.

It isn’t difficult to deduce that by joining forces in projects, both Mahindra and Ford can benefit from each other. Mahindra, as we know, is an established SUV-maker in India and it is currently the only one that has electric vehicles on sale for personal use. Ford, on the other hand, has a much wider reach in markets outside India and has more people working on advanced technologies which, inevitably, will be introduced on our shores.