It will be the first EV from Ford to use VW’s MEB platform.
The new CUV will be assembled in Cologne where the Fiesta is currently assembled.
Ford has doubled down on its promise to deliver EVs in Europe and the next one in line will be a new compact crossover to be revealed next March.
The new utility vehicle will be built on Volkswagen’s MEB EV platform as part of their ongoing platform-sharing agreement and other considerations.
Great to see so many of our media friends today in our @Ford in Europe Design Center. Can’t wait for 2023 to arrive, when we will pull the cover of our first electric passenger vehicle coming from #Cologne. #EVs #ElectricVehicle #NewYear2023 pic.twitter.com/3wH3ixEWCW
— Martin Sander (@MSander22) December 15, 2022
Martin Sander, head of Ford’s Model E electrification division, took to Twitter where he partially lifted the cover off the new EV’s front end on Twitter, saying: “Can’t wait for 2023 to arrive when we will pull off the cover of our first electric passenger vehicle coming from Cologne.”
As reported by Autocar, the new EV will be inspired by the Ford Bronco and F-150. Little more than part of a wheel, front bumper, and headlight are visible, but it all looks fairly beefy. Even so, the CUV will compete more directly with smaller electric crossovers such as the Volkswagen ID.4, Toyota bZ4X, Nissan Ariya, and the more upscale Volvo XC40 Recharge. Like the latter EVs, the new Ford product will be offered with a single-motor RWD configuration with two electric motors.
Ford will use the Cologne factory where the Fiesta is currently assembled to build the new EVs. Thus, another small car will be erased sadly but as we know, compact cars are not as profitable as SUVs, electric or otherwise.
