To stay competitive, VW and Ford announce a far-reaching alliance. From 2022, common commercial vehicles will be launched – an alliance for electric vehicles will also be examined.
Ford CEO Jim Hackett and Herbert Diess, CEO of VW
Tuesday, 15.01.2019
16:27 clock
US auto companies Ford and Volkswagen want to cooperate in the future – for the time being, however, only in the construction of light commercial vehicles. From 2022, the two manufacturers plan to jointly develop transporters and medium-sized pick-ups in a first step. In addition, VW and Ford want to test cooperation on autonomous vehicles, mobility services and electric vehicles. That announced Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess and Ford CEO Jim Hackett, on Tuesday at the Motorshow in Detroit on.
Ford boss Hackett said the alliance will change the industry: “It will also enable us to shape the new era of mobility.” The aim of the cooperation is to save costs and to remain competitive. Because, according to VW boss Diess, both manufacturers in the segment are easier commercial vehicles too small to play a worldwide role. Together, the two companies sold about 1.2 million light commercial vehicles worldwide last year. According to VW, the alliance would thus be the industry’s highest volume collaboration in the segment.
Through the cooperation, VW and Ford could share research and development spending and better utilize their plants. As an option for a joint plant called VW boss Diess the Ford factory in Turkey.
Also common platform for e-cars is being tested
In addition, Ford plans to develop and produce larger transporters for both companies, also by 2022. These vehicles are therefore intended only for the European market. VW then wants to bring a city delivery van on the market for both partners.
In addition, both manufacturers are currently in talks about the development of electric cars, Specifically, it is about how Volkswagen’s electric platform MEB could be used together for future models. Also a cooperation in the range of mobility services and autonomous cars is conceivable. In order to help autonomous driving to make a breakthrough, it needs the “right regulatory framework” – “here are the United States much further than we in Europe,” says VW CEO Diess.
The partnership of both automakers is already planned for a long time, In Detroit VW and Ford but now for the first time details of cooperation announced.