Renault and Ford have agreed to collaborate directly on the most sensitive terrain for the European auto industry: that of compact electric cars. The agreement calls for two new Ford-branded models to be developed and built in France by Renault, with a commercial debut scheduled for 2028. This is neither a merger nor a corporate rapprochement: the two groups remain fully independent, but choose to share technology and production capacity to reduce costs and risks.
Why production comes through France
The choice to manufacture in France is not accidental. Renault has already focused a significant part of its strategy on electrics there, investing in plants and platforms designed for
Model details have not yet been released, but the goal is to produce compact electric cars suitable for cities and the European market, where final price and production efficiency make a difference. Ford will retain control over styling, identity and commercial positioning, whilst Renault will bring technology platforms and industrial capacity to the table.
The answer to competition and the cost of electrification
The agreement should also be read as a response to increasing pressure from Asian manufacturers, particularly Chinese, who are entering Europe with electric models at very aggressive prices. For incumbent manufacturers, developing new electric cars on their own risks becoming economically unsustainable, especially in the most popular segments. Collaboration therefore becomes an almost compulsory choice, rather than just an opportunity.
In addition to the two electric cars, the agreement opens the door to possible future collaborations, particularly in the field of light commercial vehicles. It is a sign of how the industry is seeking new forms of cooperation to address the energy transition without losing competitiveness. And creating an alternative to China’s trade offensive.
A signal for the European car industry
The one between Renault and Ford is a move of industrial realism. The transition to electric is not won with proclamations, but with shared platforms, efficient factories and sufficient numbers to hold up the market. In this sense, the Franco-American understanding says a lot about the future of the European car: less soloists, more teamwork.
