Ford stated intends to lessen its reliance on Volkswagen Group’s EV technology as it transitions its European lineup to all-electric vehicles. Ford will employ its own technology for future electric vehicles after releasing two new all-electric EVs based on VW Group’s MEB electric-only architecture.
According to Martin Sanders, Ford’s European e-car development manager, utilising VW’s MEB platform was a transitional technology for Ford, saving the business at least two years of development time. The business is investing $2 billion in converting its Cologne, Germany, factory to construct two MEB-based vehicles while discontinuing production of the long-running Fiesta hatchback.
Ford intends to sell 600,000 electrified vehicles per year in Europe by 2026. The first MEB-based Ford EV, similar in size to the VW ID4 crossover, will be unveiled in March. The second EV is referred to as a “sport crossover” by Ford. It will be manufactured in Cologne next year.
Aside from the Cologne factory, Ford wants to convert its Valencia, Spain, plant to make software-defined EVs on a new electric architecture later this decade. The EVs made in Valencia will not employ VW’s MEB architecture, but will instead rely on the automaker’s own software with enhanced driver-assistance functions. Ford has indicated its passenger lineup in Europe would become all-electric by 2030 and it anticipates two-thirds of commercial van sales to be all-electric or plug-in hybrids by the same date.
Overall, Ford’s declaration that it will reduce its reliance on Volkswagen Group’s EV technology and use its own technology for future electric vehicles is a big step toward the company’s objective of moving to an all-electric portfolio in Europe by 2030. Ford will be able to build its own software with advanced driver-assistance capabilities for the new electric cars and EVs made in Valencia, making it more competitive in the EV market.