Early this year, Mahindra and Ford entered a joint venture (JV) where the homegrown manufacturer would own a majority stake in the American carmaker’s Indian arm. At the time, reports stated that the JV would spawn seven new models for the domestic market via cross-badging cars. However, a new report states that Ford and Mahindra won’t be cross badging any car anytime soon! So what does this mean for fans of both brands in the country? According to Pawan Goneka, the managing director of Mahindra & Mahindra, both manufacturers will launch new cars in India with their own DNA and identity. However, Ford and Mahindra will be working closely on product development as well as sourcing components and developing new technology. So expect the upcoming models from both manufacturers to be based on their unique platforms rather than being cross-badged version. In simpler words, it’s likely that Ford’s upcoming midsize SUV will not be based on the second-gen Mahindra XUV500 but rather be a unique model. This also means that the chances of seeing a Mahindra-badged Endeavour or a Ford-badged Scorpio are rather slim. However, this could come across as good news for enthusiasts of the two brands as Ford cars will retain their fun-to-drive nature while Mahindra cars will continue to retain their tough-as-nails feel. 
