Two major automotive industry brands, Renault Group and Ford, have announced a new strategic partnership that will see the companies work together on both passenger and commercial vehicles.

While the partnership is initially focused on the development of two new Ford-branded electric vehicles on Renault’s Ampere platform, the two companies have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a European light commercial vehicle collaboration.

Under this LOI, the partners will explore the opportunity to jointly develop and manufacture Renault and Ford’s branded selected light commercial vehicles (LCVs).

“Renault Group is proud to announce a new strategic cooperation with Ford, an iconic car manufacturer,” said Renault Group CEO François Provost (pictured above, right). “This partnership shows the strength of our partnership know-how and competitiveness in Europe. In the long term, combining our strengths with Ford will make us more innovative and more responsive in a fast-changing European automotive market.”

Ford Motor Company President and CEO, Jim Farley (pictured above, left), added: “The strategic partnership with Renault Group marks an important step for Ford and supports our strategy to build a highly efficient and fit-for-the-future business in Europe. We will combine Renault Group’s industrial scale and EV assets with Ford’s iconic design and driving dynamics to create vehicles that are fun, capable, and distinctly Ford in spirit.”

The two companies say that the partnership will combine decades of experience in the light commercial vehicle segment as well as the industrial scale and extensive supply base of both companies, creating a formidable force poised to drive innovation and efficiency in the European market.

Photo: Renault Group