VW CEO Herbert Diess this month confirmed the two sides are nearing a deal on robocar development. The partnership is likely to include an investment in Ford affiliate Argo AI.

Since General Motors opened an Israeli research and development center in 2008, dozens of automakers and Tier 1 suppliers have followed to tap into the country's high-tech talent.

Ford opened a research center in Tel Aviv, joining a growing number of major automakers and suppliers setting up shop in the Israeli tech hub as they race to develop self-driving cars.

Former Ford CEO Mark Fields says the auto industry needs to tap the brakes on its expectations for electrification.

The heads of Ford and Fiat Chrysler once broached the subject of a merger but the talks did not go anywhere, Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford said.

Partnerships with mobility startups will be key to transforming the business, Ford's executive chairman said at a mobility conference in Israel.

David Woodhouse, Ford's director of global strategic design, has resigned from the company. Woodhouse, 50, had worked at Ford in a number of roles after joining the Premier Automotive Group, Ford's onetime stable of luxury brands that included Lincoln, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover.

Ford CEO Jim Hackett told employees the automaker is entering the final stretch of job cuts it began last year, and by September it will have shed 7,000 salaried positions globally.

Ford's leadership defended the company's actions during CEO Jim Hackett's first two years on the job, saying 2019 will be proof they have made the right choices.

Ford's first-quarter global earnings fell 34 percent to $1.15 billion on one-time charges, but the company made a small profit in Europe as its restructuring effort in the region showed early results.

Tesla posted a $702 million first-quarter loss as CEO Elon Musk said the company expects to lose money in the second quarter but return to profitability in the third quarter.

Ford said it was investing $500 million in electric-vehicle startup Rivian and plans to build an EV using Rivian's flexible skateboard platform.

Ford will add an "affordable" nameplate in the United States aimed at filling the hole left by ending sales of the Fiesta, Focus, Fusion and Taurus sedans.

A redesigned flagship crossover from Mercedes, a Porsche limited edition open-top car and a pickup concept from Volkswagen are among debuts from European automakers at the New York auto show this week.

Ford's two company presidents are shuffling roles: Joe Hinrichs will become chief of Ford's global operations, including Europe, while Jim Farley will take charge of new businesses, technology and strategy, including the company's autonomous vehicle unit.