After months of speculation, it's confirmed that the Ford Endeavour SUV won't be coming to India. Instead, Ford has decided to introduce the SUV under the name Ford Everest in the Indian market. The decision stems from trademark issues, as the Everest name was already owned by another entity in India. With the rights now secured, Ford will relaunch in India with the Everest SUV, aligning with its global SUV image and saving costs by avoiding the need for new badges and nameplates.

For now, Ford doesn't have plans for local manufacturing in India, opting to start with completely built unit (CBU) models until its electric vehicle (EV) strategy is established. This could delay local production until late 2025 or 2026. Speculation also surrounds Ford's potential partnership with an Indian manufacturer for hybrid and electric vehicle technology sharing and manufacturing, with Tata Motors being a key candidate.

The news of Ford's return surfaced in January 2024 with design patents filed for the Everest. Subsequently, sightings of CBU Everest models near Ford's plant and hiring of engineers indicate its imminent launch in India. While there's no official statement, we anticipate the CBU Ford Everest to hit Indian markets by the end of 2024, with local production starting by 2026. Pricing is expected to range between Rs 60 lakh and Rs 70 lakh.