Ford to borrow platform from Mahindra for C-segment SUV - Report

20/03/2018 - 12:04 | ,   | Dhruv Saxena

Mahindra & Mahindra and Ford are in the final stages of formalising the MoU the two companies decided to ink in September last year. The strategic alliance aims to leverage the benefits of individual strengths of the two companies.

Ford EcoSport Petrol AT review grille
Ford will reportedly utilise the next-gen Mahindra XUV500's platform to develop a new C-segment SUV.

According to a new report by ET Auto, Ford will borrow Mahindra's platform for the next generation XUV500 for a new C-segment SUV. Codenamed W601, the product will sit between the Ford EcoSport and the Ford Endeavour. The information was revealed to the publication by individuals close in the know of the partnership. The two companies have not made any official announcements.

The report adds that Ford aims to match Mahindra's cost structure which is 10-12% lower than theirs. Leveraging platform(s) from Mahindra will help the American car maker achieve that and also accelerate the product development process helping to bring new vehicles to the market sooner.

2016 Ford Kuga (facelift) headlamp grille bumper at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show Live
A report from January 2018 suggests Ford will launch a Kuga-based SUV in the Indian market.

Also Read - Ford Aspire Electric coming next year

In India, the company intends to launch a new crossover in the in the next quarter called Ford Freestyle. It will also be joined by the facelifts of the Figo and Aspire. It is currently developing a Maruti Baleno/Hyundai i20 rival for launch in the Indian market. The new B563 platform will underpin a new sedan to rival the Honda City and Maruti Ciaz as well. The hatchback will be the first to arrive with a launch expected sometime in 2020.

[source - ET Auto]

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