Ford and Mahindra to end collaboration in India

Ford Motor and Mahindra & Mahindra will not work together on any project they had accepted as part of their abandoned joint venture in India, the automakers said.

Ford and Mahindra had proposed a joint venture for developing at least 3 sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) for India and other developing markets, along with share suppliers, powertrains, and technology. The deal, which would have ended the majority of Ford’s independent operations in India, was canceled on December 31.

The automakers were expected to take a decision by the end of March on whether to continue with all or a few of the tasks under a new relationship or put an end to all talks.

“As part of winding down our relationship, several cooperative item programs will no longer continue. We are presently re-scoping those product programs,” a Ford India spokesman said.

Ford has earlier said that its independent India operations will continue.

Rajesh Jejurikar, executive director at Mahindra, informed on Wednesday that “at this moment there are no strategies to continue on any of the tasks”.