Leading automotive manufacturer and the largest carmaker in Europe, Volkswagen Group has announced that it is expanding its e-mobility partnership with the American vehicle maker Ford.
Ford plans to produce another electric model based on the MEB platform for the European market. The automaker will also double its planned MEB volume to 1.2 million units over six years.
As per the statement issued by VW, the agreement was signed as part of the strategic alliance between two companies, which includes e-mobility, commercial vehicles and autonomous driving. Designed as an open vehicle platform, the MEB (Modular Electric Toolkit) allows car manufacturers to electrify their portfolio quickly and cost-effectively.
The first Ford model to use the MEB will be an all-electric crossover. It is expected to roll off the assembly line at the Ford Electrification Center in Cologne from 2023 and further push its e-mobility strategy. Ford had initially been planned just one model based on MEB with a total volume of around 600,000 units. However, the company has not yet released any details about the second planned model.
For Volkswagen, expanding the collaboration with Ford will take it one step closer to becoming a platform supplier for electric vehicles as a further pillar in addition to the core business. The MEB platform, which various brands and manufacturers can use, already provides the technology base for ten electric models from five brands. Used to build approximately 300,000 units in 2021, it is one of the leading electric platforms worldwide.
The MEB offers a high level of competitiveness while providing considerable freedom in design and model development. It covers a wide range of segments and vehicle types, from compact vehicles up to SUVs and vans. The most recent model based on the MEB is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz1, which celebrated its world premiere last week. The MEB also offers a much more competitive cost base than other electric vehicles due to utilising economies of scale worldwide. It is mainly manufactured at the German locations of Volkswagen Group Components in Braunschweig, Kassel and Salzgitter.
To help achieve the breakthrough in e-mobility worldwide, VW shares the MEB and other Group platforms with partners. The newly created business unit ‘Platform Business’ is responsible for these partnerships. In addition, Volkswagen’s future platform SSP will also be shared with partners; the use by various brands and manufacturers is already being taken into account in development from the outset.
Thomas Schmall, Management Member for Technology, Volkswagen Group Board and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components, said, “Profitability and speed are now crucial for finally achieving the breakthrough of e-mobility in Europe. We are tackling both together with Ford. Today’s agreement will further accelerate the electrification of the two companies. This is also proof of the strengths of the MEB, which provides a unique package of high-tech, competitive costs and speed in implementing projects. The electric platform is thus the ideal solution for companies looking to speed up their electrification.”
Stuart Rowley, Chair of Ford of Europe, said, “Our strategic alliance with Volkswagen is an important element of Ford’s commitment to offer an all-electric range of vehicles that are uniquely Ford and designed to meet the mobility needs of a modern Europe that is leading the fight against climate change.”