► Ford and Renault join forces on small EVs
► Two Ford-branded cars to use AmpR platform
► Renault to also work with Ford on commercial vehicles
Ford and Renault have announced they have signed a partnership agreement, whereby Ford will create two new electric cars based on Renault’s Ampere platform family.
Ford says the two new electric cars will be designed by its own team, ‘feature distinctive driving dynamics, authentic Ford-brand DNA and intuitive experiences’ and that it ‘marks the first step in a comprehensive new product offensive for Ford in Europe.’
That said, it has confirmed that Renault would manufacture the model at Renault’s ‘ElectriCity’ facility in Douai – not in a Ford facility. This marks a departure from the production of the Puma Gen-E – Ford’s other small electric car – that is manufactured in Romania.
Via this strategy, we could very likely see the return of the Ford Fiesta, which was killed off a few years ago, make a return as a small electric car based off the same architecture and powertrain as the Renault 5 and Alpine A290. Nissan, Renault’s Alliance partner, span out a Micra relatively quickly from the same technology. Another model due to return could be a next-generation Focus; Ford had originally planned to launch an electric replacement for its perennial hatchback in 2025 but nothing ever materialised. Even so, Ford has confirmed the first of its small new electric cars won’t make it to showrooms until 2028.
Jim Farley, Ford’s president and CEO (pictured above, left), says the partnership ‘marks an important step for Ford and supports our strategy to build a highly efficient and fit-for-the-future business in Europe. We will combine Renault Group’s industrial scale and EV assets with Ford’s iconic design and driving dynamics to create vehicles that are fun, capable, and distinctly Ford in spirit.’
François Provost, Renault Group CEO (pictured above, right), added: ‘This partnership shows the strength of our partnership know-how and competitiveness in Europe. In the long term, combining our strengths with Ford will make us more innovative and more responsive in a fast-changing European automotive market.’
So, what’s Renault getting out of the deal? The two brands have also signed a letter of intent to jointly develop a new range of light commercial vehicles for Europe. ‘The strategic partnership will combine decades of experience in the light commercial vehicle segment, as well as the industrial scale and extensive supply base of both companies, creating a formidable force poised to drive innovation and efficiency in the European market,’ says the two brands in a joint statement.
We’ll update this story when we know more.