Teamautotrend

Ford and Mahindra JV Called Off - Ford India Operate Independently!

by admin | January 01, 2021

Ford CEO

Ford Motor Company and Mahindra & Mahindra have dissolved their joint venture that was announced in October 2019. In the official statements issued separately by Ford and Mahindra, both automakers have mutually decided to part ways and function as separate entities.

Overview

On the 1st of October 2019, Ford India and Mahindra had signed an agreement in Mumbai to create a joint venture that will develop, market and distribute Ford vehicles in India along with Mahindra vehicles in high-growth emerging markets overseas. The JV was to see Mahindra having the 51 percent controlling stake and Ford owning a 49 percent stake. Ford was to transfer its India operations to the JV, including its personnel and assembly plants in Chennai and Sanand. Ford was to retain the Ford engine plant operations in Sanand as well as the Global Business Services unit, Ford Credit and Ford Smart Mobility. The JV was planned to be the next step in the strategic alliance forged between both brands back in September 2017.

The main aim of the joint venture was to grow the Ford brand in India and export its products to Ford entities globally. Both manufacturers were to share components, platforms, technology and engineering capabilities on their new cars.

Reason for dissolving:

According to the companies, the reasons to call off this JV were “Fundamental changes in global economic and business conditions; caused, in part, by the global pandemic over the past 15 months.”

Upcoming products:

Ford has already been developing its next big launch, the new C-SUV ( C757) based on the next-gen Mahindra XUV500 (W601). This new SUV was already planned for an early-2022 launch. Therefore, it's likely that Ford will enter into a contract manufacturing arrangement with Mahindra to build the C-SUV in its Chakan plant. Ford is also likely to source the 1.2L TGDI engine from Mahindra for the upgraded 2021 Ecosport compact SUV. The Ford C-SUV too will use the same 2-litre petrol and 2.2 diesel engines that will power the next XUV500.

Stay tuned for further updates.

Related News

Ford Bronco 2020 - All You Need To Know

BS 6 Ford Ecosport: Has anything changed?

Maruti Suzuki Jimny Sierra Spotted Testing in India Launching soon !

Kia Picanto 2020: Will it come to India?

But what about hatchbacks? Well, they’re still in demand too and we think they still would be in the near future. After all, small, affordable and peppy cars are always good in have in congested cities. Speaking of small cars, the Kia Picanto has made quite a name since its launch a few years ago. Also known as ‘ Kia Morning’ in many countries, the Picanto is available in three engine options, funky colours and a few of the so called attractive features.

Based on the Hyundai i10 platform internationally, the Picanto is quite similar in size to that of the

i10 making it look like one too, if you look closely from different angles. But that’s possible only if you have a keen eye. The 2020 avatar of the Picanto has many aesthetic changes made to it which make it a bit overwhelming for a small car.

The front end gets a new chrome ‘Tiger Nose’ grille, LED projector headlamps, a redesigned bumper with a new place for the fog lights and bigger air dams. Overall, we think Kia has tried to make the Picanto look a bit aggressive but the front actually looks like there’s too much happening there all at the same time. A bit cramped of sorts.

The rear and sides too don’t miss out on the 2020 updates. The rear bumper gets a diffuser, taillights are now LED and the alloy wheels get a new design. Yes, we know, it looks like it has fake exhausts. The look at the back is opposite from what’s happening in the front. There’s lots of space the designers could fill stuff in. Or not, perhaps.

Speaking of the interior, most things looked the same as the earlier models except for a few additions that would make it a highly attractive package in India. A large eight- inch touch screen Infotainment System with UVO connectivity suite, automatic AC, push button start- stop, an electric sunroof, ventilated front seats and a semi digital instrument panel with a 4.2 inch multi- information display. As keen drivers, we liked the electric sunroof bit the most.

Speaking of the heart of the matter, the Kia Picanto comes with three engine options- a 1.0 litre three cylinder naturally aspirated engine churning out 75 bhp and 95NM of torque, a four cylinder 1.2 litre engine making around 85 bhp and lastly, a 1.0 litre three cylinder turbo petrol engine producing 99 bhp. That’s a lot of choice for a small car! The three cylinder motors however get only a 5 speed manual gearbox whereas the four cylinder motor gets the option of a 4- speed automatic.

Safety too isn’t compromised. It has what most modern small hatchbacks come with- seven airbags, ABS, EBD, reverse parking assist, and many other features which we may not see in India even if the car is launched soon. The seven airbags option is also a great start in terms of safety for a small car like the Picanto and we do hope to see it if at all the car is launched in India.

Speaking of the Kia Picanto launch in India, Kia has expressed that it isn’t keen on entering the hatchback segment in India yet, especially when it is currently focussing on bringing the compact SUV Kia Sonet into India soon. But with times changing quickly, you may see the Picanto on Indian roads sooner than expected. Or, maybe not so soon. Well, only time will tell in case you’ve been waiting for this hatchback.

Skoda Upcoming New Cars and SUVs 2021

Skoda is getting ready for an aggressive 2021. Apart from the new-generation Octavia and Kodiaq petrol next year, Skoda will debut it’s all new ‘India 2.0’ products, starting with an all-new SUV and sedan.

All new mid size SUV (Vision IN):

The most eagerly awaited product is the upcoming Creta fighter that will be a mid-size SUV developed and manufactured entirely for India.

This new mid size SUV was first previewed by the Vision IN concept at the 2020 Delhi Auto Expo. The production-spec version will retain most of the design elements from the

concept. This new SUV will be over 4.2m-long and have a 2,671mm wheelbase. It will be based on the India-specific MQB A0 IN platform.

This new Mid size SUV will be available with two engine options. Lower variants are expected to get the 110hp, 1.0-litre TSI engine with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Higher variants will be getting the 150hp, 1.5-litre TSI turbo-petrol motor from the Karoq and will be mated to a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Fourth Gen Skoda Octavia:

The launch of the all new fourth-gen Octavia has been pushed to the April-June 2021 period.

The new Octavia has already been spied testing in India and the India spec model ditches the quad-headlamp setup. The new car adopts the brand’s latest design language and looks similar to the facelifted Superb. The interior gets a new dashboard design, a freestanding 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system and 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit digital dials among other features.

The new Octavia will get a 190hp, 2.0 TSI turbo-petrol engine mated to a 7-speed DSG automatic. However, the lower variants are likely to get the 150hp, 1.5 TSI Petrol engine from the Karoq.

Skoda Kodiaq petrol BS6:

The Kodiaq’s 150hp, 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine will be replaced by the 190hp, 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine that is already offered on the Volkswagen Tiguan All-space and Skoda Superb. No exterior or interior changes are expected to the updated model.

All new Generation Skoda Rapid:

The final product for the 2021 year will be the new mid-size sedan that will replace the decade-old Rapid Sedan in India.

Like the production-spec Vision IN SUV, the upcoming sedan will be based on the MQB A0 IN platform that will bring in key improvements in terms of space and technology. The new Sedan will be larger than the current Rapid and will introduce a lot of features to keep up with competition from the New Honda City. The new Rapid is expected to be priced smartly as well. The engine however, will be the same 110hp, 1.0 TSI turbo-petrol motor mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

Stay tuned for further updates on the all new Skoda cars.

2021 Hyundai i20 - All you need to know

Hyundai India will be launching the new i20 premium hatchback by the end of this year. The i20 has been one among their best selling products and still is one among the most feature loaded hatchbacks in its category. This here is a quick walkthrough on the highlights of the new generation Hyundai i20.

Exterior:

The new Hyundai i20, sports a completely different design language. On the front fascia, it features a new and larger hexagonal cascading grille with a more swooping bonnet and angular headlamps. The headlamps will feature LED lighting on the top spec trims along with inverted L shaped

DRLs. Projector fog lamps are also expected to be offered. The new i20 will be longer and wider than the current model. The sides have sharp, dynamic creases lending the car a more dynamic profile. The window line features Chrome detailing which flows from the A pillar to the top of the C pillar whereas the snazzy Z-shaped LED Tail lamps are connected by a red reflector bar. The new i20 will also receive unique looking 16” alloy wheels on the top spec variants.

Interior:

The new Hyundai i20's interior will feature a fresh and clean layout with a wraparound layered design. The interior is expected to sport a flowing cockpit theme while being loaded with features.

Here's an extensive list of features on the new i20:

10.25” touchscreen system
Blue link connectivity
Fully digital instrument cluster
Automatic climate control
Air purifier system
Ambient lighting
Leather upholstery
Ventilated seats
Split folding rear seats
Electric sunroof
Auto LED headlamps
Cruise control

The new i20 will also offer more safety features:

Pretensioner seatbelts
6 airbags
ABS with EBD
ESP with traction control
Hill hold control
ISOFIX child seat mounts
Smart key access
Geofencing & tracking

Powertrains:

The new i20 is expected to be available with two petrol engine options and one diesel engine. The standard 1.2L 4 cyl Kappa petrol engine will produce 83PS Power through either a 5 Speed manual transmission or a CVT. The 1.0L 3 cyl turbo petrol powertrain is expected to be carried over from the Aura Turbo producing a maximum output of 100PS through either a 6 speed manual gearbox, or the new IMT or a 7 speed DCT. The 1.5L turbo diesel engine from the Venue is also expected to be on offer producing 100PS Power through a 6 speed manual transmission.

Launch & price:

The all-new i20 is likely to be launched during the festive month of October this year and will go up against the new Tata Altroz, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the new facelifted Honda Jazz and Toyota’s Glanza. Prices are expected to be around Rs20000 to Rs50000 higher than the current gen model which it will replace.