Ford And Volkswagen Officially Finalise Merger Plans

• Ford will develop a new EV based on Volkswagen's MEB platform.

• The two carmakers will also work with Argo AI to introduce autonomous driving technology in their US and European models.

• Volkswagen and Ford alliance does not include cross-ownership between the companies and will remain competitors in the marketplace.

• Ford is also in a joint venture with Mahindra to work closely on product development, sourcing, and technology, especially for the Indian market.

Back in January last year, two of the world's largest carmakers, and Volkswagen, joined forces by announcing a global alliance. And now, the two carmakers have officially finalised its the terms of the merger.

As part of the joint venture, Ford will develop a new electric vehicle based on Volkswagen's Modular Electric Drive (MEB) platform for the European market. This EV is slated to be launched in 2023. This will make Ford the first carmaker outside the Group to use the latter's dedicated EV platform. From 2023 onwards, Ford plans to develop over 6,00,000 electric vehicles based on the MEB platform over the next six years for European markets. Details regarding the Ford-Volkswagen EV are scarce, but we expect it to be similar to VW's ID.3.

Aside from EV platform sharing, Ford and Volkswagen will work with Argo AI, an autonomous vehicle platform company, to develop autonomous vehicle technology and introduce it to their US and European models. Other than that, the two brands will also work on developing two commercial vans and a pick-up truck based on Ford Ranger. Likely to be called the VW Amarok, the pick-up truck is expected to go on sale by 2022.

Back in, upcoming models from Ford and Mahindra could feature unique styling while sharing the same underpinnings.

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