Volkswagen and Ford will confirm a wide-ranging 'global alliance' that will include co-operation in commercial, autonomous and electric vehicles at the Detroit motor show, according to reports.
The two car giants have already announced a deal to work together on commercial technology, and VW boss Herbert Diess recently said they has "identified other potential cooperation". Sources have now told Reuters that a deal is close to being agreed that will also involve working together on the future development of autonomous and electric vehicles.
The plans for a strategic alliance – which will not involve any merger or the two companies taking equity stakes in each other – could save both companies billions in research and development costs and allow for shared platforms and self-driving technology.
In particular, sources told Reuters that the two would pool resources on autonomous technology development, with Ford given use of the VW Group's MEB electric car platform. Volkswagen would gain access to the architecture of the Ford Transit van and Ranger pick-up – and the move could lead to VW cars being built in Ford plants.
The news follows an announcement in June that the companies were looking to collaborate on the development of future commercial vehicles, among other projects. Ford's president of global markets, Jim Farley, called this move an example of Ford’s commitment to “leveraging adaptive business models”.
Volkswagen's own MEB electric vehicle platform could form the basis for shared development, although the company's chief financial officer, Frank Witter, said there has been no decision regarding whether other companies will be allowed to use the template. The first MEB-based models are scheduled to roll out of Volkswagen's new electric vehicle factory in Zwickau, Germany, in November 2019.
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Peter Cavellini
It’s the future Jim.....!?
Maybe the way forward with transport for the masses is for market leaders is to work together?, well, why not?, one valid reason why it couldn’t work.
Peter Cavellini.
xxxx
Panic
Ford have next to nothing in the BEV market place and won't have either within the next 3 years despite press release saying they're be releasing 20 or so within the next 4 years. Been left behind in this field unlike JLR.
VAG :- Not sure what they'll get from the deal other than money. Their BEV has been signed off and they're on their way to tooling up for 2020, OR are they??? Maybe it's proving harder and more expensive than the great VAG thought
typos1 - Just can’t respect opinion
fadyady
Conjoined
armstrm
fadyady wrote:
Judging the position of a company by stock market value is pretty poor way of judging their long term future. Tesla have been pioneers in BEVs, but the big boys, in particular those in Germany are tooling up and will easily surpass them in years to come unless Tesla need to make a complete step change in quality and make significant improvements in replacement models to stand a chance of retaining their position. Electric drivetrains are relatively straightforward to build, the main issue has been battery cost and capacity. The harder part is actually building vehicles in large numbers at high quality. The big manufacturers know how to do this, and Tesla have demonstrtaed just how hard it can actually be.
Thekrankis
VW + FORD? Hmmmmmmm
Maybe the new brand should be called FRAUD ?
jason_recliner
Thekrankis wrote:
*rim shot*
Try the salmon!
Aussierob
Ford
So far behind, you can’t even see them in the mirror.
What has happened to this once great automotive power? Leaders looking at this year’s profit not the future. I’d bet on Tesla surviving over Ford, and Tesla are dodge enough...
The best Ford can hope for is to be bought out by VW, though what would be in it for VW?
Robbo
Aussie Rob - a view from down under
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