Ford plans to launch affordable electric vehicle made in India
Ford is preparing a big return to the Indian market with a series of products, including a new affordable EV platform made in India, along with some global heroes such as the Endeavor (Everest) SUV and Ranger pickup truck.
So far, these are all speculations and rumors, but they grow stronger with each passing day. We were the first to report that Ford has filed a patent for the new generation Endeavor in India. The sighting of job openings on LinkedIn followed, and finally we saw the new Endeavor and Ranger undisguised on flatbed trucks in India.
Recently, the president of Ford Motor Company, International Markets Group, Kay Hart, visited our country to assess the market situation for its return. He is in talks with Tamil Nadu state officials about the company’s plans for the Maraimalai Nagar plant on the outskirts of Chennai. Ford postponed plans to sell the plant a few months ago to return.
Ford is considering localizing electric vehicle platforms in India for the domestic market as well as for exports. Ford engineers have been working on a new platform for affordable electric cars for two years. The new electric vehicles are likely to be produced at the Chennai plant.
Meanwhile, the Endeavor is expected to be assembled locally via the CKD route and the Mustang Mach-E is expected to be imported directly as a CBU. Manufacturing electric vehicles will allow Ford to reap the benefits of the new made-in-India electric vehicle policy. This will help them access the 15% import tax on the Mustang Mach-E.
What do you think of Ford’s return to the Indian market? Let us know in the comments section below.
