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VOLKSWAGEN AND FORD UNVEIL HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP / BIG BATTERY DEAL FOR BE’AH CONSTRUCTION WASTE CENTRE OPENS IN SAUDI / OMAN LOGISTICS BOOST
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Ford to build new Amarok for Volkswagen AUTO GIANTS REVEAL COMMERCIAL VEHICLES PLANS FOR NEW ALLIANCE INCLUDING A TRADE IN VW’S ELECTRIC EXPERTISE MANUFACTURERS VW and Ford have revealed details on how their new strategic alliance will work, including an agreement for the US company to build a new pickup for the Amarok pickup in return for the use of Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive (MEB). The new partners remain competitors in the marketplace but have confirmed that a medium Amarok truck engineered and built by Ford, will be available in 2022. The firms said they will further strengthen the commercialvehicles businesses of both
companies as early as 2021, “with a city delivery van based on the latest Caddy model, developed and built by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and later a 1t cargo van created by Ford.” In a statement they added that a highly differentiated Ford electric vehicle for Europe by 2023 based on Volkswagen’s MEB will expand “on Ford’s zero-emission capabilities.” Ford and Volkswagen said that signed agreements to develop their global alliance will meet rapidly evolving needs of their respective customers in Europe
and other regions “by leveraging complementary strengths in midsize pickup trucks and commercial and electric vehicles.” With both anticipating continued growth in global industry demand for commercial vehicles and for high-performing electric vehicles, the companies expect to produce up to a combined 8 million of the medium pickup truck and both commercial vans included in the commercial relationships. “In light of the Covid 19 pandemic and its impacts on the global economy, more than ever it is vital to set up resilient alliances
between strong companies,” said Volkswagen Group CEO Dr Herbert Diess. “This collaboration will drive down development costs, allowing broader global distribution of electric and commercial vehicles, and enhance the positions of both companies.” “This alliance comes at a time of tremendous enthusiasm about the intersection of intelligent, connected vehicles in an eversmarter world,” said Ford CEO Jim Hackett. “This creates a huge opportunity to innovate and solve many of the world’s transportation challenges.”
FORD SAYS IT EXPECTS TO DELIVER 600,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES USING VOLKSWAGEN’S MEB ARCHITECTURE – STARTING FROM 2023
06 JULY-AUGUST 2020
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