Ford to Make a Comeback in India With a New Strategy – Report

Ford is contemplating a re-entry into the Indian market. A global team, including CEO Jim Farley, will evaluate a fresh proposal with a new strategy. The plan involves new investments, a focus on electric vehicles and sustainability, and production for exports. Ford's belief in India's potential as a volume leader in the global auto industry drives this decision.

A report on feasibility of re-entering India will be considered by global team at Ford's headquarters and the possible re-entry will call for new investments, focus on electrics and sustainability.

The brand's recognition among potential buyers also plays a crucial role. If approved, it may take around a year to start production at the Chennai factory. Despite being present in India for over three decades, Ford previously struggled to build a solid business case here.

Ford faced several challenges during its previous operations in India. Despite investing over $2 billion in India, Ford struggled to gain significant market share. After 25 years of operations, they held only 2% of the market.

Earlier joint ventures with Mahindra & Mahindra did not meet Ford’s expectations. These partnerships failed to establish a stable business, leading to Ford’s decision to sell its Gujarat plant to Tata Motors and consider exiting the Indian marke.

Ford grappled with a dated product lineup and stiff market competetion, hindering its ability to sustain operations in India.

Now, as Ford considers re-entering India with a focus on electric vehicles and sustainability, it aims to overcome these challenges and tap into the country’s growth potential.

Ford's Global Strategy for Electric Vehicles

Ford’s global strategy for electric vehicles is ambitious and comprehensive. The auto major is investing $22 billion in electrification through 2025. This substantial commitment aims to lead electrification in areas of strength.

The company is electrifying its most iconic products, including the 'Mustang'. The all-electric Mustang Mach-E, which delivers the 0-60 mph hrills Mustang is famous for, along with cutting-edge technology and over-the-air Ford Power-Up software updates. The F-150 Lightning, an all-electric version of America’s best-selling truck, combining innovation, technologies, and capabilities. The E-Transit, an all-electric version of America’s best-selling van, designed for smart and connected fleet operations.

Potential Partnership with Tata Motors

According to few of the auto news portals, Ford is exploring a potential partnership with Tata Motors to re-enter the Indian market, this time with a focus on electric vehicles (EVs). Notably, Ford and Tata have a storied past. In 1998, Tata launched India’s first indigenous car, the Indica, but it faced challenges. Later, Tata acquired Jaguar-Land Rover (JLR) from Ford, turning it profitable.

Partnering with Tata, a leader in the EV segment, could accelerate Ford’s re-entry. The PLI scheme for local EV production adds to the appeal.

Ford exited India in 2021 but now seeks to return. The recent sale of its Sanand, Gujarat plant to Tata Motors hints at collaboration. Ford aims to develop new products, hybrid powertrains, and EVs in India.

Ford and Lincoln Car Owners Can Now Join Webex Meetings/ Calls Directly from Their Vehicle's Infotainment System

Cisco and Ford Motor Company have collaborated to introduce the Webex app in Ford and Lincoln vehicles, enhancing productivity for people on the move.

This integration allows users to join Webex meetings and calls directly from their vehicle's infotainment system, with video capabilities when parked and audio-only while driving. The app includes features like AI background noise removal and is designed to transform the vehicle into an alternative workspace¹². This rollout was announced at Enterprise Connect on March 26, 2024.

The Webex app in Ford and Lincoln vehicles is designed to transform the car into a mobile office, offering seamless and secure collaboration for users on the go. Here's how it works:

While Driving

The app operates in audio-only mode to ensure an uninterrupted connection for calls and meetings, similar to a regular Webex call.

Users can join meetings using voice commands or steering-wheel buttons.

When Parked:

• The app provides a fully immersive meeting experience.
• Users can view shared content and videos of remote participants on the center display.
• It allows real-time reactions on the touchscreen to engage in collaboration. 
• Customizable layouts are available, such as Grid view for up to 6 people or Focus view for a more concentrated perspective.

The app includes features like AI background noise removal and is available for download in select Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with the Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience. Owners can effortlessly log in by scanning a QR code to access their Webex meetings and calls

The Webex app is available to download on Google Play in vehicles equipped with the Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience, including on the all-new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus and coming soon on the new 2025 Lincoln Aviator and 2025 Ford Explorer.

The Webex app is now available for customers on the all-new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus and is coming soon on the new 2025 Lincoln Aviator and 2025 Ford Explorer.

For Its Upcoming Electric Car, Ford Launches Perfume That Smells Like Petrol

American automaker Ford has started booking of its electric car Mustang Mach-E GT. With starting price of $59,900 (about 45 lakh rupees), This electric car is so powerful that it catches the speed of 0 to 100 km in just 3.8 seconds. At the same time, its range is close to 435 km on a single charge. The company has prepared a special perfume for this car, which will smell like petrol.

In fact, Ford conducted a survey in Europe in which 1 in 5 drivers said that they would miss the smell of petrol in an electric car. In such a situation, the company has prepared a perfume named Mach-Eau. The company won't be selling the perfume, but it will be offered to those who didn't smell it when it debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Rather than just smelling like petrol though, Mach-Eau is designed to please the nose of any wearer; a high-end fragrance that fuses smoky accords, aspects of rubber and even an ‘animal’ element to give a nod to the Mustang heritage.

Ford has designed this perfume bottle like a fuel pump machine. That is, the design of the fuel machine of petrol and diesel at a petrol pump is the same. Its side has a cable like petrol pipe and nozzle. The quantity of perfume inside is 50ml. The front of the bottle has the logo of a running horse, similar to the one given by the company on the front grille of the car. The special thing is that the color of perfume is also similar to the color of petrol.

Ford_Mustang Mach-E GT 

Ford_Mustang Mach-E GT Side View

Ford's Mustang Mach-E GT is a very powerful electric car developed by Ford. With 480 horsepower and torque of 813Nm, this electric car has been launched in four variants - Select, California Route 1, Premium and GT.

For safety, airbags have been provided all around inside the car. At the same time, child safety, auto dimming rearview mirror, tire pressure monitor system, rear window defroster and washers, SOS post crash alert system have been given in the rear door.  

This Tiny Device Is Ford's Magic Portion For Bringing Self-Driving Cars To The Masses

Ford is trying its level best to come first in the market race for self-driving cars. All the automobile lovers out there might already be aware about the buzz the term 'self-driving cars' has created over the period of time.

In order to ace the race, Ford has decided to triple its autonomous vehicle testing fleet. The company already has an innovative device ready with them in order to bring autonomous vehicles to the masses.

The newly launched LiDAR device is from Velodyne and is called the Ultra Puck. It is much smaller in size than its previous version that were originally being used on Ford's autonomous fleet.

The new device was specifically designed for automotive use and helps extend the sensing range by 200 meters from the last generation. It also has improved precision, allowing it to better create maps and models for testing.



Originally developed for use in the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) autonomous vehicle competitions, Velodyne LiDAR now provides a full line of sensors capable of delivering the most accurate real time 3D data on the market.

According to Ford's CEO, Mark Fields, while a lot has been said about the technology, nothing concrete has actually come out in the market. But at Ford, the company is actually very serious about the technology and has a very dedicated research and development team working hard for the past ten years to make the dream of self-driving cars a reality.

Adding on the company's stance on the technology, Raj Nair, Ford's group vice president for product development said that the company will now have 30 Fusion autonomous vehicles on the road and test tracks in Arizona, California, and in Michigan.

According to industry rumours, Ford has already progressed from the research phase into the advanced engineering stage for the project. Further, the rumour mill is also hot with the rumour that Ford has partnered with technology giant Google in order to use the giant's help in developing its autonomous technology.

In what adds to as another effort by Ford in making self-driving cars a reality, the automobile company had recently launched the third generation LIDAR technology, which it now using on its self-driving cars project.

This Tiny Device Is Ford's Magic Portion For Bringing Self-Driving Cars To The Masses

Ford is trying its level best to come first in the market race for self-driving cars. All the automobile lovers out there might already be aware about the buzz the term 'self-driving cars' has created over the period of time.

In order to ace the race, Ford has decided to triple its autonomous vehicle testing fleet. The company already has an innovative device ready with them in order to bring autonomous vehicles to the masses.

The newly launched LiDAR device is from Velodyne and is called the Ultra Puck. It is much smaller in size than its previous version that were originally being used on Ford's autonomous fleet.

The new device was specifically designed for automotive use and helps extend the sensing range by 200 meters from the last generation. It also has improved precision, allowing it to better create maps and models for testing.



Originally developed for use in the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) autonomous vehicle competitions, Velodyne LiDAR now provides a full line of sensors capable of delivering the most accurate real time 3D data on the market.

According to Ford's CEO, Mark Fields, while a lot has been said about the technology, nothing concrete has actually come out in the market. But at Ford, the company is actually very serious about the technology and has a very dedicated research and development team working hard for the past ten years to make the dream of self-driving cars a reality.

Adding on the company's stance on the technology, Raj Nair, Ford's group vice president for product development said that the company will now have 30 Fusion autonomous vehicles on the road and test tracks in Arizona, California, and in Michigan.

According to industry rumours, Ford has already progressed from the research phase into the advanced engineering stage for the project. Further, the rumour mill is also hot with the rumour that Ford has partnered with technology giant Google in order to use the giant's help in developing its autonomous technology.

In what adds to as another effort by Ford in making self-driving cars a reality, the automobile company had recently launched the third generation LIDAR technology, which it now using on its self-driving cars project.