A big part of Ford and Volkswagen’s new partnership is the co-development of a number of new vehicles, including a compact European Ford EV built on VW’s MEB platform – the same platform that underpins the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, and numerous other planned electric vehicles. Earlier this month, we captured a few photos of this MEB-based European Ford EV prototype under a cover, but soon, it may not be the only such vehicle on sale in the region.
According to Bloomberg, Ford is mulling the decision to build a second Europe-only EV on the MEB platform, and it’s already engaged in talks with Volkswagen to license its technology for that very purpose. “As we have said previously, there is the potential for a second all-electric vehicle based on the platform to be built at Cologne, and that is still under consideration,” the automaker said in a statement.
To date, Ford hasn’t shared many details regarding its forthcoming, MEB-based European EV, which is somewhat of a hatchback and crossover mashup. As we previously reported, the EV is similar in size to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but features a lower ride height and will bear a design that’s completely unique.
The European Ford EV is slated to enter production in 2023 at the Ford Cologne Assembly Plant in Germany. Ford recently announced that it will invest $1 billion into the Cologne plant to transform it into the Ford Cologne Electrification Center for the manufacture of electric vehicles, as well as $300 million at the Ford Craiova Assembly Plant to build a new light-duty commercial EV, and $185 million into its new Ion Park facility for battery research and development.
In addition to the new MEB-based Ford EV, Ford and VW’s partnership will spawn a Ford Ranger-based midsize pickup, a full-size van based on the next-gen Ford Transit, and a small van that will usher in the next-gen Ford Transit Connect.
We’ll have more on these future models soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for non-stop Ford news coverage.
Comments
Mark my words… Mixing it up with VW = Nothing but problems. VW’s idea of a long lasting car is one that makes it to 70K miles. Then they’re more than happy to (try to) sell you a new one.
Remember the “Good” influence on Mercedes from their marriage with Chrysler. Yeah, that.
Oh great, another stupid electric vehicle import.
Have y’all thought this through Farley? Remember that experiment in grade school where y’all tried mixing oil and water in a jar? Yep, that’s what’d happen trying to mix Ford and Volkswagen.
I have said it before….. FORD VW marriage of convenience has more downside risk to FORD than upside benefit. For VW, this is all gravy. Their negative consumer industry reputation will need several generations to be fully erased. Marrying a top rung American producer is like a hall pass for them all courtesy of FORD. To the observations above, this is all ‘bean counter’ management at FORD which I suspect Farley has had to swallow without water for good measure. Said before, accountants and lawyers will be the death of many otherwise excellent companies like FORD. FORD can/will build excellent BEV that will glide well into the future and beyond! Just sayin…