Renault Group and Ford have signed a strategic partnership agreement to jointly develop two new Ford-branded electric passenger vehicles based on the Renault Group’s Ampere platform. Furthermore, the companies will explore cooperation opportunities in the European commercial vehicle segment, jointly developing and manufacturing selected light commercial vehicles (LCVs) branded as Renault and Ford. This partnership will combine the expertise and industrial scale of both groups in Europe, enhancing the competitiveness of both parties.
Renault Group and Ford have entered a strategic collaboration, combining their forces in the rapidly accelerating field of electric mobility within the European automotive market. This partnership will enable Ford to offer its electric vehicles to European customers on a wider scale and significantly strengthen both companies’ positions in the region’s increasingly competitive environment.
The primary focus of the collaboration is on two new electric vehicle projects to be developed under the Ford brand. These models will leverage the strong assets and competitive advantage of Renault Group in the electric vehicle sector, being based on the Ampere platform. Production will be carried out by the Renault Group in Northern France. This concretely showcases the “state-of-the-art” manufacturing capacity and expertise of Ampere’s ElectriCity facility, positioning this collaboration as a strategic step in Europe’s electric mobility transition.
Designed by Ford and entering a joint development process with Renault Group, the two new electric models will combine the brand’s unique driving dynamics, authentic Ford DNA, and intuitive user experiences. These two cars will be the first step in the comprehensive new product offensive launched by Ford in the European market. The first of these models is set to reach consumers and showrooms in early 2028.
Beyond the electric vehicle collaboration, Renault Group and Ford have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI), setting the stage for a potential partnership in the European light commercial vehicle segment. Under this LOI, the parties will evaluate opportunities to jointly work on the development and manufacturing of selected light commercial vehicles (LCVs) branded as Renault and Ford. This creates a comprehensive perspective for collaboration to meet future mobility needs in Europe for both the passenger and commercial vehicle sectors.
François Provost, CEO of Renault Group, commented on the collaboration: “We are extremely proud to launch a new strategic partnership with an iconic automaker like Ford. This collaboration clearly demonstrates the level of partnership experience and competitiveness we have achieved in Europe. Combining our strengths with Ford in the long term will position us to be more innovative, more agile, and more responsive to change in the rapidly transforming European automotive market.”
Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company President and CEO, remarked on the partnership: “The strategic collaboration we have established with Renault Group is a critical step for Ford and supports our strategy to build a highly efficient, future-fit business model in Europe. By combining Renault Group’s industrial scale and electric vehicle competencies with Ford’s iconic design and driving dynamics, we will develop vehicles that are fun, capable, and embody the unique Ford character.”
The companies will utilize the proven capabilities and competitiveness of the Renault Group’s Ampere platform, its electric vehicle manufacturing ecosystem, and its industrial capacities in Northern France (ElectriCity) to produce two new Ford-branded electric passenger vehicles.
As leading players in innovation, design, software, and service delivery in Europe, Renault Group and Ford aim to overcome the challenges facing the sector and better serve customers in both the retail and commercial vehicle segments by combining their expertise.
The strategic partnership between Renault Group and Ford will merge decades of experience in the light commercial vehicle segment, the industrial scale of both companies, and their comprehensive supply bases, forming a significant force that will drive innovation and efficiency in the European market.
