India’s competition watchdog approves JV between Ford Motor Co. and Mahindra & Mahindra

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Mahindra & Mahindra’s acquisition of a majority stake in a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, which will form a joint venture in India.

Last October, India’s Mahindra & Mahindra and American automaker Ford Motor Company signed a definitive agreement to create a joint venture (JV) in India.

The deal, which was valued at USD275 million will form a joint venture with the Indian automaker holding the controlling stake of 51% and Ford Motor Company the remaining 49% stake. The joint venture would acquire the automotive business of Ford India Pvt Ltd (FIPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford Motor Company.

The JV will be operationally managed by Mahindra, and its governance will be equally composed of representatives from Mahindra and Ford. The entity will develop, market and distribute Ford-branded vehicles in India.

Ford Motor will transfer its Indian operations to the joint venture, including its personnel and assembly plants in Chennai and Sanand, whereas Ford Motor will retain its engine plant operations in Sanand, as well as the Global Business Services unit, Ford Credit and Ford Smart Mobility.

The joint venture will be responsible for growing the Ford brand in India and exporting its products to Ford entities globally. Ford will continue to own the Ford brand, and its branded vehicles will be distributed through its existing dealer network in India. At the same time, Mahindra will continue to own the Mahindra brand and operate its own dealer network in the country.