JSW Group launches $3 billion electric vehicle push to challenge India’s EV leaders

Facing significant financial losses and fierce competition, Ford Motor Company is set to reveal detailed plans for an affordable electric vehicle line on 11 August 2025, marking a strategic pivot aimed at regaining market share with a flexible mid-size electric pickup and new cost-cutting innovations.Ford Motor Company is gearing up to share more detailed info about its plan for a low-cost electric vehicle (EV) line at an upcoming event set for August 11, 2025, in Kentucky. This move signals a pretty significant shift in strategy, especially considering the recent setbacks they’ve faced financially in their EV division—which, in the second quarter of 2025, reported a staggering $1.3 billion loss. So, leadership is now really emphasizing affordability combined with innovation, trying to claw back some market share in an EV landscape that's changing fast and feels pretty pressure-filled right now. CEO Jim Farley went as far as calling this new initiative a “Model T moment” for Ford. It’s a pretty bold statement, highlighting the historic importance of mass-market innovation—something Ford hopes to replicate in the electric realm. The low-cost EV project was first hinted at earlier in 2024, led by Alan Clarke, a former Tesla executive. The development team behind this effort is quite eclectic, pulling talent from top tech and auto companies like Apple, Lucid Motors, Rivian, and Tesla itself. The first vehicle on this platform? Well, it’s expected to be a mid-size electric pickup, with plans to launch around 2027. This platform aims to be pretty flexible, supporting different body styles for both regular consumers and commercial customers, and it’ll come with customizable digital services to make the user experience more engaging. This shift toward affordability isn’t just random; it’s partly a response to declining sales of flagship models like the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E. Plus, the overall EV market outlook for Ford is getting tougher because of increasing competition. Tesla is planning a cheaper version of its Model Y later this year, GM's reintroducing the Chevrolet Bolt in 2026, and newer players—like Slate Auto, backed by Jeff Bezos—are preparing to launch affordable electric pickups as early as late 2026. Additionally, the US market itself is kind of in flux, with EV sales growth slowing down, thanks to shifting policies and consumer mood under the current administration. Beyond just the price, Ford is also trying to get on the same level as Chinese EV manufacturers, who’ve set a pretty handy pricing benchmark with their competitive costs. The California-based “skunk works” team assigned to this project is aiming for major cost cuts across the entire system—not just batteries. That includes parts like chassis, thermal management, inverters, and electronic modules. Although industry insiders say success might depend heavily on securing roughly $700 million in US federal tax credits designed to offset Ford’s big $3 billion investment in a new battery plant in Michigan, the future of those incentives isn’t guaranteed. They’re still tied up in legislative negotiations, so whether Ford gets them or not is a bit of an open question right now. Interestingly enough, Ford’s pivot to more budget-friendly EVs has also meant some scaled-back ambitions. For instance, the company recently dropped the FNV4 project—an advanced electrical architecture initiative meant to create, you know, a Tesla-like centralized software system. That project was halted because costs and delays spiraled out of control, highlighting just how tough it is for traditional automakers to create complex software systems at Tesla’s level of vertical integration. That said, Ford isn’t throwing in the towel entirely; they plan to take lessons from this experience and apply them to boost their current software capabilities across their vehicle lineup. Financially, these changes mean a few pragmatic adjustments. Production of the next-generation full-size electric pickup has now been pushed back by about 18 months, aiming for a 2027 launch. Meanwhile, plans for an all-electric three-row SUV have been put on hold in favor of hybrid models, mostly because batteries remain so costly. Plus, Ford is planning to cut its EV development spending from 40% of its annual budget down to 30%, a move that shows they’re being a bit more cautious in light of all the market uncertainties and tech challenges they’re facing. The push to make EVs more accessible to consumers also includes new incentives. Recently, Ford rolled out its “Ford Power Promise” program, aimed at lowering barriers to EV adoption—like the hefty costs of home chargers—by offering free Level 2 charger installations along with other perks for customers who buy models like the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E. It’s all part of a broader effort to educate and motivate consumers who might still be hesitant about switching over to electric. With the first products from this new, lower-cost EV platform not expected until 2027, Ford is facing a pretty tight timeline to stay relevant amid rapid competition and market shifts. The first half of 2025 showed only a modest 7% growth in US EV sales, a sign that the market is maturing—early adopters are giving way to more cautious buyers, which makes Ford’s strategy even more crucial. All in all, their repositioning seems like a calculated move to battle mounting financial pressures, rising competition, and changing consumer expectations—aiming to carve out a sustainable, profitable spot in the EV world through smarter costs, strategic innovation, and targeted product offerings. Source: Noah Wire Services

Maruti Suzuki is diversifying beyond traditional car manufacturing by amending its MoA to enter EV infrastructure, vehicle leasing, used car sales, carbon credit trading, and recycling, signalling a strategic pivot towards sustainable and integrated mobility solutions in India.Maruti Suzuki, India's top passenger vehicle manufacturer, has recently taken a bold step to reshape its business future by amending its memorandum of association (MoA). Basically, this change allows the company to venture into a wide range of new sectors—especially those driven by sustainability and innovative mobility solutions. This strategic shift means Maruti is expanding far beyond its traditional role of making cars, branching out into areas like vehicle leasing, subscription-based mobility services, integrated fleet management, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, used car sales, trading carbon credits, and even recycling vehicles at the end of their life cycle. This kind of corporate evolution really underlines how Maruti Suzuki recognizes the rapidly changing automotive scene. You know, with shifting consumer tastes, a lot of technological innovation, and increased competition from both established players and newer startups in mobility services. Even though the company used to dominate with about 50% of the market share in India’s passenger vehicle segment, recent data suggests that’s dropped to around 40%. The MoA, which received approval from the board and still needs shareholders to give the thumbs up at the upcoming annual general meeting, clearly signals Maruti’s desire to diversify income sources, grab emerging market opportunities, and beef up its service offerings to stay competitive. It’s pretty clear that this expanded scope will allow Maruti Suzuki to roll out and run a whole bunch of new services. They include vehicle leasing, last-mile mobility solutions, and subscription plans—trends that are gaining ground everywhere, especially with consumers leaning towards flexible vehicle usage and ownership options. Interestingly enough, the company’s also planning to get into the used car market more seriously—buying, refurbishing, certifying, and selling pre-owned vehicles through a mix of digital, physical, and hybrid platforms. Yeah, that segment’s booming in India, largely because more people want affordable ways to get around. And as part of its future plans, Maruti’s looking to build and operate EV charging stations and battery swapping hubs—pretty much as part of a bigger plan to push electric mobility. They aim to install fast chargers roughly every 10 kilometers within the biggest 100 cities, mostly to reduce “range anxiety”—you know, the fear of running out of juice—and provide solid after-sales support for upcoming electric models like the eVitara and eVX. The eVX, which is Maruti’s first electric vehicle, is said to offer over 500 kilometers of range—pretty impressive—aimed to compete strongly in the Indian market. And, interestingly enough, there’s talk about exporting these EVs to Europe and Japan, which could boost the brand’s reputation globally in the electric sphere. On top of that, Maruti’s thinking of making electric vehicle ownership easier with financing and leasing options, better charging stations at homes and dealerships, and integrated solutions that help preserve resale value. Basically, they’re trying to position electric cars as mainstream, not just niche offerings. You see, the whole idea is to build a comprehensive EV ecosystem that encourages widespread adoption without all the usual headaches. The company’s sustainability ambitions are, well, equally broad. They’ve got permission to trade carbon credits and green instruments, aligning with worldwide environmental standards and corporate responsibility goals. Plus, they’re going to focus on recycling and processing end-of-life vehicles and scrap materials—metals, plastics, rubber, even electronic waste. This move ahead of tighter regulations and growing consumer expectations really underscores how seriously they’re taking environmental issues. Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to recycling is also evidenced through its joint venture with Toyota Tsusho Group—called Maruti Suzuki Toyotsu India Private Limited—which is all about systematically dismantling and recycling vehicle waste. This not only helps manage environmental concerns like illegal dumping and soil contamination but also fights against climate change impacts. The collaboration follows strict norms such as the EU’s End-of-Life Vehicles and Batteries Directives, showing how diligently Maruti aims to meet high environmental standards globally. And it’s not just about manufacturing cars anymore. Maruti is also eyeing future mobility options—think carpooling services like a potential ‘Maruti Poolkar’ initiative, and expanding EV charging networks under brands such as ‘Maruti Suzuki Smart Charge’ and ‘Maruti Suzuki Charge Hub.’ These ideas really point to a broader, integrated vision—one where vehicle production is just one piece of the puzzle, and providing a whole ecosystem of services is the ultimate goal. They seem determined to capture value across the entire vehicle lifecycle and stay ahead of customer needs, especially as transportation moves toward sharing and electrification. All in all, this strategic push into mobility services, EV infrastructure, green initiatives, and advanced vehicle lifecycle management signals a pretty significant transformation for Maruti Suzuki. It’s not just about holding onto their market leadership anymore but pivoting effectively so they’re ready for the future of electric and shared mobility — which a lot of experts believe will shape the global auto industry in coming years. Honestly, it’s pretty fascinating to see how they’re planning to adapt and grow in a rapidly evolving landscape. Source: Noah Wire Services

Ford CEO Jim Farley is set to reveal a breakthrough electric vehicle and a flexible new platform designed to make EVs more affordable and accessible in the US, drawing inspiration from successful Chinese models and leveraging advanced, cost-effective battery technology.Ford is gearing up for quite a big step in its electric vehicle (EV) game with an announcement expected on August 11. During this reveal, CEO Jim Farley has promised to introduce a “breakthrough electric vehicle” along with a new EV platform. Farley drew a comparison, saying this moment is sort of like Ford’s historic Model T—famously the car that made automobile ownership accessible to the masses back in the early 1900s—by making EVs more affordable and widely available. Essentially, this new EV aims to be a game-changer in that way, trying to open up electric cars to a broader slice of the U.S. market, especially those who might have thought EVs were out of reach financially. The upcoming event, which will take place in Kentucky, highlights Ford’s push to design and build this vehicle right here in the U.S. You see, it follows the creation of an internal “skunkworks” team back in 2022, a group dedicated to developing low-cost EVs—though, until recently, not much was public about what they were working on. Farley has often pointed to China’s success in producing quality, affordable EVs as a pretty handy blueprint—specifically citing vehicles like Xiaomi's SU7 sedan, which he drives himself and views as a benchmark for good, competitive tech. This inspiration clearly influences Ford’s strategy to adopt similar methods to get costs down and appeal to customers, mainly in the U.S., where small SUVs still dominate sales. Industry experts and insiders are betting that the vehicle will probably be a compact SUV—because let’s face it, that’s a hugely popular segment in America—built on a fresh platform that uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. These batteries are a more affordable alternative to the traditional lithium-ion cells and are, honestly, pretty effective at reducing EV costs. Ford is already ramping up production with two large battery plants in the pipeline, including a hefty $3.5 billion facility in Marshall, Michigan. This plant is being developed with China’s battery giant CATL, and it’s expected to start churning out batteries by 2026. The goal? Produce enough LFP cells for roughly 400,000 vehicles each year. Yeah, it’s drawn some political fuss over depending on Chinese technology, but Ford says it’s crucial to building a reliable and competitive battery supply chain on U.S. soil. The new platform Ford has in mind is meant to be pretty flexible—thinking maybe up to eight different styles including trucks, crossovers, and even sedans. This kind of versatility comes from the use of what they call “skateboard” architectures—a design where the battery, motors, suspension, and steering are all packed into a flat, modular base. This approach makes developing different models a lot more efficient since manufacturers can share components and streamline their factories—kind of a smart way to play it. Now, some folks suggest that Ford’s announcement might seem like a competitor to models like the Chevy Equinox EV, especially at first glance. But with all the focus on a new platform and trying to keep prices low, it could be something even broader and more innovative. Plus, the automaker is definitely leaning into the industry's push to offer more affordable EV options, especially since upcoming federal tax incentives might give consumers a credit of up to $7,500—imagine that, dramatically lowering the sticker price and boosting appeal. All in all, the August 11 reveal isn’t just about launching a new vehicle. It’s pretty much a strategic move by Ford to reclaim leadership in EV manufacturing in the U.S., trying to hold its own against aggressive Chinese competitors like BYD’s Seagull, which costs around $12,000 and is seen as a real threat due to its mix of affordability and decent quality. Ford’s emphasis on advanced batteries, mass production, and flexible platforms shows they’re taking a practical, focused approach—pretty smart, considering the fierce global competition. In sum, Ford’s upcoming announcement marks a major turning point for their electric ambitions. By rolling out an affordable EV built on a new platform, with cutting-edge battery tech inspired by the Chinese market, they’re aiming to shape what’s next for electric mobility—something that might even rival the profound impact the Model T once had on making cars mainstream. And honestly, it’s pretty exciting to think about how this could change the game for EV enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike. Source: Noah Wire Services