Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automakers
June 11, 2020 09:57 AM

Ford promises 'highly differentiated' MEB-based model

Nick Gibbs
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Ford has confirmed that it will build a “highly differentiated” electric car using Volkswagen Group’s MEB architecture as part of the now-formalized alliance between the two automakers.

    Ford and VW Group announced Wednesday they had signed an agreement to work together after first unveiling plans in January 2019.

    The automakers will also collaborate on a compact van built by VW brand, a midsize van developed by Ford, and a VW medium pickup built by Ford using its Ranger platform.

    Ford’s MEB-based electric car will be designed and engineered at the automaker's European R&D center near Cologne, Germany, using the VW Group's underpinnings. The car will be available starting in 2023.

    The automakers estimate sales of 600,000 units of Ford’s MEB-based derivative “over several years.”

    Using the MEB architecture will allow Ford to accelerate the development of an affordable electric car for Europe. Starting in 2021 Ford will begin sales of the Mustang Mach-E full electric performance SUV, which will start at 46,900 euros, limiting its appeal to Ford’s traditional customer base.

    Ford’s lack of an affordable electric vehicle will limit its appeal to fleet drivers, who are able to claim additional tax incentives for choosing an EV in key markets such as the UK.

    Ford is considering whether to add a second MEB-based car, Ford of Europe President Stuart Rowley told Automotive News Europe in March. “We have an opportunity to do a second vehicle,” he said.

    Rowley stressed that the Ford variants would be very different from MEB cars from the VW Group, which includes the Audi, Seat and Skoda brands. “We are very focused on the fact that these products will be Fords. They will look like a Ford, drive like a Ford, feel like a Ford and will be built by Ford,” he said. Ford, so far, has only said its MEB car will be built in Europe, and not given a location.

    VW’s first MEB-based car is the ID3 full-electric compact. Deliveries of the car will start in September after delays due to software issues.

    Prices for the launch edition of the ID3 will start below 40,000 euros ($45,484) in Germany, while a base version costing less than 30,000 euros is also planned.

    The first vehicle planned from Ford and VW Group’s alliance is a compact van based on the latest VW Caddy. The van, which will be built by VW, is set to arrive 2021 and replace Ford’s Transit Connect.

    A replacement for the VW Amarok pickup based on the Ford Ranger and built by Ford will follow in 2022.

    Ford will also engineer a new midsize van for itself and VW that will replace VW’s Transporter model and Ford’s current Transit. No launch date was given.

    The two companies said the alliance could result in the combined production of 8 million commercial vehicles during their life cycles.

    An alliance between the two made sense, particularly in the current financial situation, VW Group CEO Herbert Diess said in a statement.

    “In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the global economy,” he said, “more than ever it is vital to set up resilient alliances between strong companies.”

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Renault cedes power at Nissan for uncertain benefits
    Recommended for You
    Renault Nissan logos 2023
    Renault cedes power at Nissan for uncertain benefits
    BYD Han sedan
    BYD expects 2022 profit surge as sales jump
    Arrival has built test models and is due to launch production in 2022.r.
    EV startup Arrival slashes workforce; names new CEO
    Capgemini Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    Sponsored Content: Capgemini Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us