Ford & Renault's Partnership for European Manufacturing

Ford and Renault Group partnered to produce two Ford-branded electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe.

The models will be manufactured at Renault facilities in northern France using Ampere's ElectriCity production capabilities.

This collaboration comes as Ford pursues what it describes as a capital-efficient approach to EV production in the European market, despite recording a US$19.5bn write-down related to its EV operations.

Partnership structure and production

The two companies signed a partnership agreement for the development of two Ford-branded EVs. Both models will be based on Renault's Ampere platform.

Production will take place at Renault Group facilities in the north of France using Ampere's ElectriCity manufacturing infrastructure.

Ford CEO Jim Farley said: "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 RAC speculated this could result in a Ford Fiesta model returning as a Renault-built EV. The partnership also includes a Letter of Intent for European light commercial vehicle collaboration.

The two manufacturers will explore opportunities to jointly develop and manufacture Ford and Renault-branded light commercial vehicles.

François Provost, CEO of Renault Group, said: "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."

Renault's manufacturing partnerships

Renault Group operates a strategic partnership with Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors in Europe at its Ampere Douai Plant. The facility produces EVs for all four brands.

According to Reuters, Renault will build a new small EV engine in France using parts supplied by China's Shanghai e-drive.

Speaking to Auto Express, François says there is no connection between the group's Chinese operations and its technical partnership with Ford. The Ampere platform being used for the Ford-branded vehicles forms part of Renault's existing manufacturing infrastructure in northern France.

The ElectriCity manufacturing capabilities will be utilised for the production of the two new Ford models. This arrangement could allow Ford to access established production capacity without building new facilities.

Ford's European EV strategy

According to Ford, the company announced changes to its EV plans in 2026 after recording US$19.5bn in losses mostly related to EVs. The majority of these losses occurred in the fourth quarter of 2025 with the remainder in 2026 and 2027.

However, EVs remain part of Ford's strategy in Europe. 

Jim said in the company's 2025 Q4 earnings call: "We're looking to piggyback in Europe with Renault and Volkswagen on capital efficient, high scale and lower cost solutions like B car EVs in Renault. We think that is a market, depending on how the EU and the UK incentivise them, but that can be profitable."

The company revised production of the F-150 in America from all-electric to EREV. This means the vehicle also relies on a fossil fuel generator.

The F-150 is a top selling electric pickup in the US.

Jim said in 2025: "As an American company, we see Europe as the frontline in the global transformation of our industry. 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."