COLOGNE, Germany – Ford today announced the next phase of its European transformation, reinforcing its commitment to the region for both retail and commercial customers with a strategy focused on agility, cost efficiency, and a sharpened brand promise.

Ford’s strategy for Europe is built on three pillars – further strengthening its successful Ford Pro commercial vehicle division, expanding the Ford passenger car range with distinctive new vehicles, and optimising its industrial system to drive scale and cost efficiencies.

Building towards a sustainably profitable business in Europe, Ford’s next chapter will see a new product offensive driven by the introduction of new multi-energy, affordable cars and commercial vehicles designed to support customer choice on their journey to electrification and boost the company’s competitiveness in an aggressive market. The planned new vehicles will enhance Ford’s existing product range and are expected to arrive in showrooms in 2028.

“As an American company, we see Europe as the frontline in the global transformation of our industry,” said Jim Farley, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company. “How we compete here - how we innovate, partner, and invest - will write the playbook for the next generation. We are committed to a vibrant future in Europe, but that future requires us to move with greater speed and efficiency than ever before.”

Ford today announced a strategic partnership with Renault Group as a first step to accelerate this plan. The partnership includes:

• Passenger Vehicles: An agreement to jointly develop two Ford-branded electric vehicles on Renault’s Ampere platform, arriving in showrooms in 2028. While leveraging shared architecture for efficiency, Ford will lead the design and driving dynamics to ensure these vehicles are distinctly Ford.
• Commercial Vehicles: A Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore the joint development and manufacture of Ford and Renault branded light commercial vehicles, leveraging common platforms to drive industrial scale.

The partnership combines the expertise, industrial scale and supply base of two major brands, delivering the efficiency and manufacturing scale needed to compete in a highly dynamic region.

Ford Calls for Constructive Policy Alignment

Ford's strategy for Europe is designed to navigate Europe's evolving CO2 emission regulations, providing customers with a range of affordable, multi-energy options during the transition to electrification. The current share of electric vehicles in Europe is steady at 16.1 per cent, far below the required 25 per cent of new vehicle registrations required to meet Europe’s strict CO2 targets by 2025.

“We need to enable everyone to benefit from electrification and letting customers choose – whether that’s fully electric or hybrid vehicles,” said Jim Baumbick, president, Ford Europe. “It is about making the transition more attractive and more affordable for all consumers and businesses, stimulating demand rather than stifling it.”

Ford proposes three steps to ensure a successful transition:

1. Align Targets with Reality. We must align CO2 targets with actual market adoption and provide automakers with a realistic and reliable 10-year planning horizon. This includes giving consumers the option to drive hybrid vehicles for longer, bridging the gap rather than forcing a leap they aren’t ready to take.

2. Incentivize the Transition. European manufacturers have invested hundreds of billions in EVs. Governments must match that commitment with consistent purchase incentives and a charging infrastructure that extends beyond wealthy urban centres into the rural heartland.

3. Support the Working Economy. The current approach to commercial vehicles is an economic tax on the backbone of Europe. Only 8 per cent of new vans are electric. These vehicles are tools for plumbers, florists, and builders. Aggressive CO2 targets on commercial vehicles unfairly penalize the small and medium-sized businesses that generate more than 50 per cent of Europe’s GDP.