Ford partners with Renault to develop new electric vehicles for Europe

Ford is embarking on a strategic partnership with Renault to co-develop new electric vehicles based on Renault's Ampere platform, marking a pivotal shift as Ford seeks to regain its foothold in the European EV market. This collaboration will produce two new electric models carrying the Ford brand, expected to launch by early 2028, and to be manufactured at ElectriCity, Renault's northern France EV production hub.

Ford’s move to incorporate Renault’s technology follows its previous partnership with Volkswagen, which brought vehicles like the Ford Explorer and Ford Capri built on Volkswagen’s MEB platform. However, Ford's European market share has halved over the past five years, raising concerns about the company’s viability, especially after the closure of its Saarlouis factory.

According to Ford CEO Jim Farley, the partnership will leverage Renault’s industrial scale and electric vehicle experience combined with Ford’s design and driving dynamics to create vehicles that are "fun and capable" while preserving Ford’s distinct identity. This collaboration also sets the stage for future cooperation on commercial vehicles, expanding from Ford's ongoing partnership with Volkswagen. Additionally, Renault continues to collaborate with Volvo Trucks on developing new charging technology platforms.

This alliance aims to strengthen Ford’s competitiveness in Europe against rising Chinese EV manufacturers and reflects a broader industry trend towards shared platforms and cross-brand cooperation in electrification efforts.