Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Company announce their global alliance

  • The alliance maximizes the strengths of the two global automotive brands to be more competitive, innovative and ready to serve customers.

  • The union does not provide for the exchange of property between the two companies.
  • The companies will first supply customers with medium-sized pickup trucks, which will be launched in 2022, and plan to continue to produce vans in Europe.
  • An agreement on vans and pickups to ensure scale and efficiency for each of the companies starting in 2023.
  • Volkswagen and Ford are also looking to explore other collaborations such as electric and autonomous vehicles and mobility services.

Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Company have announced the first formal agreement for a large-scale alliance that will enhance the two companies’ competitiveness and enhance customer experience in an era of rapidly changing industry.

Volkswagen executives Dr. Herbert Dees and Ford CEO Jim Hackett confirmed that the companies will be developing light trucks and large pickup trucks for global markets as early as 2022. Various possibilities and technologies.

The two companies estimate that the collaboration on vans and pickups will improve pre-tax annual operating results as early as 2023.

In addition, Volkswagen (www.vwmanual.ru/en) and Ford signed a memorandum of understanding to explore other opportunities for cooperation, incl. autonomous cars, mobile services and electric vehicles, and we started to explore the possibilities. Both companies have said they are open to considering additional options and other vehicles in the future. The teams will continue working on the details in the coming months.

«Over time, the merger will help the two companies create value and meet the needs of customers and society,» Hackett said, sharing in the new era of mobility.

Dees added: “Volkswagen and Ford will use their collective resources, innovation capabilities and additional market positions to better serve millions of customers around the world. At the same time, the union is a cornerstone in the quest to increase our competitiveness.”

An alliance that does not lead to the acquisition of mutual ownership between the two companies will be governed by a joint committee. The committee will be chaired by Hackett and Dice and will include senior executives from both companies.

Collaboration for vans and pickups

Both companies — Ford and Volkswagen — have a strong business with light trucks and pickups around the world with big names like Ford Transit and Ranger, as well as Volkswagen Transporter, Caddy and Amarok.

The combined volume of vans from both companies is approximately 1.2 million units worldwide since 2018, the result of a collaboration between the largest manufacturers in the industry.

It is expected that in the next 5 years the demand for medium Ivanov pickups will increase. The alliance will help companies share production costs, use adequate production capacity, increase the power and competitiveness of their vehicles and achieve financial efficiency while maintaining the distinctiveness of each brand.

As part of the alliance, Ford will develop and manufacture midsize pickup trucks for the two companies, which are expected to hit the market in early 2022. Ford intends to develop and produce large trucks for European customers in both countries, while Volkswagen plans to produce a city van.