Ford is teaming up with France’s Renault to design and produce affordable electric vehicles for the European market, with the goal of turning around the Blue Oval’s struggling business on the continent. The move comes as cheap Chinese-made EVs have flooded Europe, snatching away market share from long-established players.
Ford will use Renault’s Ampere platform to underpin two Ford-branded EVs, which are scheduled to arrive in showrooms by 2028. These will be smaller EVs, most likely city cars, to help fill a gap in Ford’s lineup in Europe. The American automaker will take the lead on design and driving dynamics “to ensure these vehicles are distinctly Ford,” the automaker said in a release. The two companies will also work together on developing commercial vans.
“Our plan is about unleashing the Blue Oval,” said Ford Europe President Jim Baumbick said in a statement. “We are leveraging strategic partnerships to ensure competitiveness, but we are obsessing over the product. These will be fun-to-drive, fully connected vehicles that stand out from the crowd.”
The deal will be similar to the one Ford struck with Volkswagen in 2019 that ultimately lead to the production of the electric Explorer and Capri.
Ford hasn’t minced words about its chances in Europe, with the company’s CEO Jim Farley telling reporters that it was “a fight for our lives in our industry,” according to Reuters.
