Dearborn-based Ford Motor Company and Mumbai-based Mahindra are forming a strategic alliance in the Indian market. The brands were in preliminary stages of talks at the start of 2020 and operations were expected to begin from mid-2020 but COVID associated lockdown in the country led to delays in formalities. Both brands are expected to develop three new SUV across segments, under the joint venture. Also, new reports suggest that the US-based brand is likely to bring the Ford Ranger Raptor, a high-performance pick-up truck to the Indian market. Ford could be planning to target the high mindshare audience who would be inclined towards high performance and premium products.
The Ford Ranger Raptor is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Turbocharged direct common rail diesel injection mill that produces 210 Hp of power and 500 Nm of torque matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The pick-up truck measures 5398mm in length, 2180mm in width, 1873mm in height, 3220mm of the wheelbase, 283mm of ground clearance 1743mm x 1560mm pick-up box. To put things into perspective the Ford Endeavour measures 4903mm in length, 1869mm in width, 1837mm in height and comes with a 2850 mm wheelbase.
The Ford is also likely to bring the lower-spec utilitarian Ford Ranger in India to compete with the Isuzu D-Max. The high-performance Raptor is likely to compete with large SUVs and other lifestyle vehicles such as the Isuzu V-Cross when the brand launches the BS6 compliant version. The brand will soon upgrade the Ford Mustang in the Indian market and is also likely to give the EcoSport a mild facelift. In the international market, Ford plans to launch the Ford EcoSport Active which is essentially the same compact SUV with black claddings adding to the overall rugged look.
It is also speculated that Ford is also evaluating the Mustang Mach-E 100% electric vehicle for the Indian market to compete with the Mercedes-Benz EQC, the upcoming Jaguar i-Pace and the Audi e-Tron.