Ford Plans Full Factory WRC Return in 2028

Ford says it will return to the World Rally Championship as a full factory manufacturer in 2028, partnering with M-Sport on a works programme and planning an all-new rally car for the 2029 season. The announcement, made in Sardinia, links the competition effort to Ford’s plans for its next generation of European passenger vehicles, though the company has not identified which model will inform the rally car or disclosed technical details. Ford Europe President Jim Baumbick said the company intends to use lessons from rallying to shape the responsiveness and handling of five planned electric and hybrid vehicles for Europe. The company has described the lineup as rally-bred, but the specific models and how competition development will translate into their engineering remain unclear. M-Sport, Ford’s longtime rally partner, is expected to design, develop, build and operate the new car. Ford and M-Sport plan to introduce it for competition in 2029, after the manufacturer’s factory return begins the previous year. A new car based on a forthcoming European passenger vehicle is planned, but no vehicle has been named.