Ford, IIT Chennai in software R&D pact

Ford Motor Company, is planning to tie up with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Chennai in the area of software testing and development.

There would also be collaboration in the areas of safety and emission features. The tie-up is likely to be announced in a few months time.

"Ford will jointly work with IIT Chennai for software testing and development. We are yet to finalise on the details on the exact nature of work," said Haren Gandhi, Fuel Head, Ford Motor Co, US.

Institutes such as the IITs provide an excellent platform for research and development, said Gandhi. Ford is also looking at ways and means to cut down its heavy manufacturing and development costs through outsourcing.

Ford had reported huge losses last year. For the financial year 2005, Ford's worldwide automotive sector reported a pre-tax loss of $1 billion compared with pre-tax profit of $850 million a year ago.

Meanwhile, Gandhi, an advisor to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on fuel emission technology, commended the Union government's initiative in implementing environment friendly methods.

Gandhi was awarded the National Medal of Technology for catalyst research by President George Bush. "I complement the Delhi government for implementing compressed natural gas in the state's buses and taxis. Rest of the states should adopt CNG at the earliest. I would also urge the government to follow Brazil's example and encourage ethanol blended fuels," said Gandhi.

Brazil produces ethanol blended fuel at $35-40 per barrel, when the global petrol prices crossed $65, he said.

India should employ cost effective ways of reducing vehicular pollution through CNG and ethanol, than waiting for technologies like hybrid or hydrogen fuel, he added.