New Delhi: US auto major Ford Motor Co and India’s Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) Friday said they have decided to scrap a previously announced automotive joint venture citing fundamental changes in global economic and business conditions caused, in part, by the coronavirus pandemic.
While Ford said it will continue its independent operations in India as it is, M&M said the decision will not have any impact on the company’s product plan.
The two companies determined they will not complete a previously announced automotive joint venture between their respective companies.
The decision follows the passing of the December 31, 2020 ‘longstop’ or expiration date of a definitive agreement the organisations entered into in October 2019, Ford Motor Company said in a statement.
The outcome was driven by fundamental changes in global economic and business conditions – caused, in part, by the global pandemic – over the past 15 months. Those changes influenced separate decisions by Ford and Mahindra to reassess their respective capital allocation priorities, it added.
Ford further said its independent operations in India will continue as is.
“The company is actively evaluating its businesses around the world, including in India, making choices and allocating capital in ways that advance Ford’s plan to achieve an 8 per cent company adjusted EBIT margin and generate consistently strong adjusted free cash flow,” Ford Motor Co said.
Ford’s plan calls for developing and delivering high-quality, high-value, connected vehicles – increasingly electric vehicles – and services that are affordable to an even broader range of customers and profitable for Ford, it added.
The company said it is moving quickly to turn around its automotive business – competing like a challenger while simplifying and modernising all aspects of the company.
Also, it plans to “grow by capitalising on existing strengths, disrupting the conventional automotive business, and partnering with others to gain expertise and efficiency”.
In a regulatory filing, M&M said, “this decision will not have any impact on the company’s product plan. It is well positioned in its core true SUV DNA and product platforms with a strong focus on financial performance. In addition, the Company is accelerating its efforts to establish leadership in electric SUVs.”
In October 2019, the two companies had announced an agreement under which Mahindra & Mahindra would majority stake in a wholly-owned arm of Ford Motor Co (FMC) that will take over the automotive business of the US auto major in India.
The new entity was to develop, market and distribute Ford brand vehicles in India while also selling both – Mahindra and Ford – cars in the high-growth emerging markets.
As part of the agreement, M&M was to acquire 51 per cent stake in a wholly-owned arm of the US auto major — Ardour Automotive Private Ltd, presently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company Inc, USA for around Rs 657 crore. The balance 49 per cent equity shareholding in Ardour was to be held by FMC and/or any of its affiliates.
The new venture was also envisaged to acquire the automotive business of Ford India Pvt Ltd (FIPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMC, that has been engaged in the automotive business in India since 1995.
The automotive business to be acquired includes vehicle manufacturing plants of Ford India at Chennai and Sanand but excluded the separate powertrain facility in Sanand, which is essentially used for FMC’s global markets, and the powertrain division of FIPL also did not form part of the deal.
Ford and M&M had in September 2017, inked a pact to explore a strategic alliance covering areas like product development, electric vehicles and distribution in India and emerging markets.
In 2018, the two partners have agreed to develop new SUVs, a small electric vehicle and connected car solutions besides supply of Mahindra powertrains to extend Ford’s product range as part of several initiatives.
PTI