Over the last few years, Ford's relationship with Volkswagen has strengthened impressively. The first of its fruits is the European-market specific Caddy and Tourneo Connect MPV collaboration but one that is likely to have more of an impact is the shared development of the next Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok.
Unfortunately, the only product that we'll benefit from here in the USA is the Ford Ranger but that could soon change as Ford has confirmed that it will be taking full advantage of its access to the VW Group's all-electric MEB platform with an imminent range of products.
Working closely with Volkswagen, Ford has announced that it will double its initial production plans using the MEB platform to 1.2 million units over six years. It won't just be pumping out more of the units that it had initially planned, but rather it will be introducing an all-new product to join the soon-to-be-revealed crossover dedicated for the European market.
With this announcement, Volkswagen invites even more manufacturers to take advantage of its modular electric architecture. It currently acts as the foundation for ten electric models covering various segments, including the recently revealed ID. Buzz. The group also argues that its platform is a cost-effective solution because it accommodates worldwide economies of scale.
Chairman of Ford of Europe Stuart Rowley sees strong potential in this relationship, as he says, "Our strategic alliance with Volkswagen is an important element of Ford's commitment to offer an all-electric range of vehicles that are uniquely Ford and designed to meet the mobility needs of a modern Europe that is leading the fight against climate change."
The sharing of this technology forms part of Volkswagen's fairly recent "Platform Business" unit that manages its current and future partnerships. Using this, it hopes to offer a lending hand to as many companies that want to break into the EV sphere as it can. For now, these models will be dedicated to the European region but there have been no statements ruling out a US expansion.