Volkswagen Confirms It Is Sleeping With Ford, But They Aren't Getting Married

Rumours of a VW and Ford tie-in have been circulating since the start of the month, with speculation that the brands will also develop electric vehicles together. Diess today confirmed the joint development of commercial vehicles is "core to the alliance", and went on to say that bosses had "identified other potential cooperation with Ford outside of commercial vehicles".

However, Diess denies the relationshp will extend to a rumoured full merger with Ford, claiming "that was never the objective of our talks".

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MDarringer - 11/16/2018 3:59:31 PM

0 Boost

Amortization of electric vehicles is the big win for VW. Truck and crossover sales will be the win for Ford. The Escape and Explorer at the end of the product cycles are better than the Tiguan and Atlas at the beginning of theirs. Ranger can easily replace the dopey Amarok.

TomM - 11/16/2018 5:44:10 PM

+2 Boost

Ford has a history of not actually spending the money to produce new - up to date platforms for their cars - and buying their way out of that by buying other companies or doing something like this. THe Volvo Purchase became FWD Full size Cars - meanwhile Mazda gave them the Fusion.

VW - on the other hand - has indeed developed the platforms for regular cars - but finds itself needing to go back for EVs - so sharing their platforms seems logical. Still - FORD is family controlled - and I simply cannot see the Family giving in to a sale without a HUGE HUGE price over real value. VW does not have the money laying around to do it right now.

So - this is just a temporary situation

MDarringer - 11/16/2018 6:00:45 PM

0 Boost

NOWHERE does it say sale.

The Volvo solution kept Ford from bankruptcy.

Ford's strategy is actually quite shrewd.

MrEE - 11/17/2018 8:28:18 AM

+1 Boost

In Germany VW commercial vans seem to be everywhere. For commercial use, vans number like pickups in the US. I am surprised that VW hasn't enter the NA market like MB. Maybe working with Ford on a shared commercial platform will lead to a division sale option if the future calls for it. Shared diesel engines could make sense.