renault Group and Ford have confirmed a major strategic partnership that will see the two manufacturers co-develop a pair of Ford-branded electric vehicles for Europe, marking a significant reset in Ford’s EV strategy as it works to regain market share in the region.
Under the agreement, the new models will be engineered on renault Group’s Ampere platform and built at renault’s ElectriCity manufacturing hub in northern France. Ford will design the vehicles, while renault will take the lead on development and production.
The partnership was jointly announced in Paris and Cologne, with both companies describing the project as a blend of renault’s EV industrial capability and Ford’s brand identity and driving characteristics.
Ford says the first model will arrive in early 2028, serving as an electric successor to the discontinued Fiesta. Closely related to the new renault 5 and built alongside it in Douai, the hatchback will give Ford a new entry-level EV as it attempts to rebuild market share, which has fallen below 4% from its previous peak of around 12%.
A second model—expected to be a compact crossover derived from the renault 4 platform—is also in the works, though Ford has not confirmed a launch date. While the vehicles will share hardware such as a front-mounted motor (offering between 121bhp and 215bhp) and 40kWh or 52kWh LFP batteries, Ford says each will have “distinctive driving dynamics” and “authentic Ford-brand DNA”.
The strategic shift comes amid slower-than-expected demand for Ford’s current European EV range. Production cutbacks for the Explorer and Capri EVs in Cologne and staff reductions of up to 1000 roles have already signalled a rethink of its earlier goal to sell only EVs in Europe by 2030.
As part of the broader partnership, Ford and renault have also signed a Letter of Intent to explore joint development and manufacturing of selected light Commercial vehicles.
renault Group chief executive François Provost said: “renault Group is proud to announce a new strategic cooperation with Ford, an iconic car manufacturer. This partnership shows the strength of our partnership know-how and competitiveness in Europe.”
Ford global chief Jim Farley said the collaboration was a key step in its European strategy.
“The strategic partnership with renault Group 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.”
Both companies say the partnership will allow them to pool design, software and manufacturing capability to compete more effectively as the European EV market continues to evolve.
Automobile Magazine-AU
