Ford India News: Ford to begin using its own engines, cuts dependence on Mahindra | – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Ford India has asked its vendors to halt its two upcoming projects, named BX774 and BX772 internally, till the American automaker finalizes the powertrain from within its inventory.
Ford earlier this year called off its proposed joint venture with Mahindra and Mahindra and the American automaker plans to manage its upcoming offerings internally rather than depending on the Indian automaker.
For now, the projects BX744 and BX772 have been halted till August 2021. BX772, is a Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos rival, while the BX744 is a B-SUV that will take on the likes of Skoda Kushaq, Nissan Magnite. Both the projects have been slated for a 2022-23 launch in the Indian market. The temporary halt in the project could cost the launches a further delay of 6 months.

The proposed C-SUV project which was supposed to be introduced as a part of the Ford-Mahindra JV has now been dumped and the American automaker is re-evaluating the alternatives for the C-SUV. According to a few sources close to the matter, Ford is likely to bring an offering like its 5-seater midsize SUV, Ford Territory.
Ford is going to use the $800 million that was originally allocated for the joint venture and cater to the trends of the emerging markets. In the meanwhile, Ford India is likely to offer a refreshed EcoSport with a Ford Dragon engine, and possibly explore the possibilities to bring the Mustang Mach E to the Indian market.