Ford: Die gewagte Partner-Strategie des US-Autobauers in Europa

Ford, the US-based automaker, is pursuing a bold partnership strategy in Europe to build cars on foreign platforms. The company aims to launch five new models by the end of the decade, with only one of them built on a Ford-owned platform. Ford is currently seeking another partner for the fifth model, which will be manufactured on a different platform.

The automaker has previously formed partnerships with Renault for two models and Chinese firm Geely for a third. The European variant of Ford's Bronco SUV, however, will be built on a Ford platform, which serves as the vehicle's technical foundation, including the drive system, underbody, and suspension. Ford is currently negotiating with various potential partners, including an Asian and a new European one.

The company's European head, Christian Weingärtner, defends the decision to collaborate with partners, stating that smaller European manufacturers need to think strategically about cooperation. However, experts remain skeptical about whether Ford's approach will succeed. Stefan Bratzel, founder and director of the Forschungsinstitut Center of Automotive Management (CAM), argues that such collaborations dilute Ford's profit since the partner also shares in the revenue.

The development costs, on the other hand, are reportedly much lower, according to Bratzel. Such a strategy could also harm Ford's reputation, Bratzel adds, as customers may question the rationale for foreign technology to be incorporated into the company's vehicles. Weingärtner, however, believes that customers ultimately care about a technically superior vehicle with Ford-like qualities, such as driving dynamics.

Ford's decision to work with foreign platforms is not unique in the auto industry. Volkswagen is also considering developing models jointly with Chinese manufacturers, not just in China, but also on the European market. Stellantis, another major automaker, is reportedly evaluating the possibility of producing Opel models on Leapmotor's Chinese platforms, although the company holds a 20% stake in Leapmotor.