Volkswagen AG and the Ford Motor Company recently announced a ‘broad alliance’ to develop medium-sized utes and commercial vans for global markets beginning as early as 2022.
In addition, Volkswagen and Ford have signed a memorandum of understanding to investigate collaboration on autonomous vehicles, mobility services and electric vehicles and have started to explore opportunities.
Through the alliance, Ford will engineer and build medium-sized utes for both companies. Ford also intends to engineer and build larger commercial vans for European customers, while Volkswagen is keen to develop and build a city van.
Both companies also said they were open to considering additional vehicle programs in the future.
Ford and Volkswagen both have strong ute and commercial van businesses with demand for both medium utes and commercial vans expected to grow globally in the next five years.
The alliance will enable the companies to share development costs, leverage their respective manufacturing capacity, boost the capability and competitiveness of their vehicles and deliver cost efficiencies, while maintaining distinct brand characteristics.
To read the full story in the March 2019 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (February 18) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.
