Ford Partners with Renault to Reinvent Electric Vehicle Lineup

Ford is significantly reshaping its approach in Europe by forming a strategic alliance with Renault to develop and produce new electric vehicles (EVs). This shift comes as the American automaker grapples with a stark decline in market presence, delivering just 256,750 vehicles in the first ten months of 2025, a steep drop from 1.2 million units in 2005. Ford’s market share has plummeted from 8.3 percent to a mere 2.9 percent, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

The collaboration marks a critical step for Ford after it discontinued several popular models, including the Ka, Fiesta, Focus, and Mondeo. These decisions have left a void in Ford’s lineup, prompting the company to seek external partnerships to reinvigorate its offerings. The upcoming electric vehicles will be engineered in northern France using Renault’s Ampere platform, with the first two models expected to launch in early 2028.

While both companies remain tight-lipped about the specific vehicles, Ford has stated that they will embody “authentic Ford-brand DNA” and feature “distinctive driving dynamics.” The Ampere platform supports smaller vehicles, including the Renault Twingo and the Renault 5, indicating that Ford’s new models will likely follow a similar compact design.

Despite these efforts, Ford faces challenges in regaining its former market position. The new EVs will be priced higher than their internal combustion engine (ICE) predecessors, making it unlikely that the company will recover the market share lost over the last two decades. The profitability of these models is also under scrutiny, as Ford has assigned Renault to manage much of the production, potentially affecting margins.

In addition to the EV collaboration, Ford and Renault have initiated discussions to explore joint development of light commercial vehicles, signing a letter of intent to consider the production of small vans. This partnership aims to enhance both companies’ competitiveness in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.

As Ford navigates this transition, it remains to be seen how effective these collaborations will be in restoring its status within the European market. The launch of these new electric models will be crucial for Ford, which is striving to maintain its foothold amidst increasing competition from established and emerging automotive players.