Ford will introduce an electric car based on a Volkswagen in 2023

Ford has confirmed it will build an electric car based on one of Volkswagen’s electric car platforms by 2023.

The announcement confirms reports last year speculating that Volkswagen would make its ‘MEB’ electric car platform available for use by Ford as part of an alliance between the US and German brands.

“This collaboration will efficiently drive down development costs, allowing broader global distribution of electric and commercial vehicles, and enhance the positions of both companies,” now-former Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess said in a prepared media statement.

The as-yet unnamed Ford model is expected to be complete by 2023 and will exist alongside the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV in Ford’s electric stable.

Above and below: Ford Mustang Mach-E

While details of the model remain scarce, use of the VW electric-car platform does provide some clues.

To date, the Volkswagen group uses its electric-car platform for the Volkswagen ID line-up – which mostly consists of hatchbacks and small SUVS, while Audi and Skoda will use it as the basis for the Q4 e-tron and Enyaq medium SUVs.

The larger Audi e-tron electric SUV uses an ‘MLB evo’ platform, while the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan sports cars use the J1 Performance Platform.

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