Ford, Renault Partner on Affordable European EVs

Ford Motor Company and Renault Group announced a strategic partnership on Tuesday to develop and produce two affordable, Ford-branded electric vehicles for the European market, with the first model expected to arrive in showrooms in early 2028. The collaboration will leverage Renault's Ampere electric vehicle platform and take place at Renault's ElectriCity manufacturing hub in Douai, northern France, where Renault will handle assembly while Ford leads design, tuning, and overall brand characteristics.

The two vehicles, described as compact passenger cars, will feature Ford's distinctive driving dynamics and intuitive user experiences, built on the shared architecture that already supports models like the Renault 5, Renault 4, Twingo, and Nissan Micra. Officials from both companies indicated the new EVs will target urban commuters, positioning them below Ford's existing electric Explorer and Capri models in size and price. Production will incorporate shared components such as motors, batteries, and software, aiming to reduce costs and accelerate development. Ford has not confirmed specific model names, but industry observers note the partnership could revive elements of the...