- Renault will make two models with Ford badges.
- Both will be electric vehicles based on Renault platforms.
- Ford’s CEO claims both cars will have ‘a swagger that is unique to the Ford of Europe.’
Ford of Europe needs an influx of fresh models, and needs it fast. The continent’s share of the new passenger car market continues to shrink, falling to just 2.8 percent in the first two months of this year. Registration numbers published by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association show a 20.3 percent decline to 55,025 units.
You could argue that the first two months of the year don’t tell the whole story. This is true, but the outlook for the remainder of 2026 is also not encouraging. Production of the Focus ended last November, meaning the once hugely popular compact model now sits in the car graveyard alongside the Ka, Fiesta and Mondeo.
The Puma and Kuga crossovers can only do so much, so there’s clearly a need for more products. While the Volkswagen-based Explorer and Capri EV haven’t really made a move yet, Ford is now turning to Renault. Another pair of electric vehicles is in the works, but the first models won’t go on sale until early 2028. In the meantime, the Blue Oval will have to survive without non-SUV models. There are Mustangs, but they don’t sell that many.
2025 Renault 5 E-Tech Electric
Photo by: Renault
Despite a two-year gap in its product lineup in Europe, Ford’s CEO remains optimistic about the future. In an interview with Top Gear magazine, Jim Farley said his company was now developing “compelling products” while promising: “no more generic vehicles.” Both electric vehicles currently under development will use Renault’s Ampere platform, meaning they will be related to small cars such as the Twingo, 4 E-Tech Electric and 5 E-Tech Electric.
“Whether they are based on a VW or Renault platform, we will execute the cars in a style that is specific to Ford of Europe.”
Meanwhile, Ford in Europe continues to lose market share, and this is not only happening to companies that have been around for a long time. While companies like Volkswagen Group, Stellantis, and Hyundai Group continue to advance thanks to their vast product lineups, new entrants from China are starting to overtake Ford.
In the first two months of this year, BYD’s market share reached 1.9 percent with 36,069 registrations. SAIC is even closer to Ford, with 41,454 registrations, representing 2.1 percent of the market. Chinese automakers are bringing more and more models to Europe, and if they keep up this pace, it’s only a matter of time before they overtake Ford. It wouldn’t be surprising if this happened at the end of the year, especially now that Focus no longer exists.
2025 Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric
