Ford's India strategy: A turnaround or exit from the evolving market?

livemint.com:

Ford may have abandoned the plan to sell the Tamil Nadu plant. What could have caused the rethink? This change in strategy could be due to several reasons. Ford could be seeking a better, higher bid from other Indian auto majors.

Considering that the JSW group is seen as a serious entrant into the automobile sector, it may be expecting the Indian company to sweeten the deal. Additionally, with India emerging as a promising growth market for cars amidst a global downturn in volumes, Ford might be reevaluating its decision to exit the vibrant Indian market. India’s emerging as a promising growth market for cars at a time when the global market is facing challenges from falling volumes.

Can Ford seriously ignore this? It’s also likely, therefore, that the maker of the storied Mustang is tempted to stay on in the big car-crazy Indian market. If so, it won’t be the first time Ford would be doing something of the sort. In February this year, Ford seemed poised for a reversal in its EV plans, having successfully secured the Indian government's production linked Incentive (PLI) benefit for electric car manufacturing.

But long before that, back in 1953, Ford made its initial departure from the Indian market. That decision was attributed to the formidable production costs incurred amid stringent import restrictions of that pre-liberalisation era. For its second stint in the Indian market, Ford re-entered as Mahindra Ford India Limited, a 50-50 joint venture.