Volkswagen And Ford Building The Future, 1.2 Million Units Of MEB Electric Vehicles

Collaborating to expand their e-mobility venture, Ford plans to produce another electric model for the European market based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform.

The treaty was signed as part of the strategic alliance between the two automakers, which includes e-mobility, commercial vehicles and autonomous driving.

Volkswagen Group’s management board member for Technology and Volkswagen Group Components’ chief executive officer, Thomas Schmall, expressed, “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.”

An all-electric crossover is to be the first Ford model to adopt the MEB and is expected to roll off the assembly line at the Ford Electrification Centre in Cologne from 2023.

Originally, Ford planned to base only one model on the MEB platform with a total volume of 600,000 units, but is now doubling up the proposed volume to 1.2 million units over a six-year lifecycle.

However, despite the ramp up in production, the Blue Oval brand has not yet released any information about the second planned model yet.

Ford of Europe’s president, Stuart Rowley, remarked, “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.”

On that note, for Volkswagen, this collaboration takes them one step closer to becoming a platform supplier for electric vehicles as a further pillar in addition to the core business. 

Significantly, the MEB (Modular Electric Toolkit) is an open vehicle platform that allows car manufacturers to electrify their portfolio quickly and cost-effectively.

It can be used by various brands and manufacturers, and has already provided the technology base for ten electric models from five brands.

Interestingly, the MEB provides considerable freedom in design and model development, covering a wide range of segments and vehicle types, from compact vehicles up to SUVs and vans.

Specifically, the most recent model based on the MEB is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, which recently celebrated its world premiere. 

Separately, to help achieve the breakthrough in e-mobility worldwide, Volkswagen shares the MEB and other Group platforms with its partners, through a business unit called ‘Platform Business’.

That said, Volkswagen’s future platform SSP is also to be shared with partners, in which the use by various brands is already being taken into account in development from the outset.