Ford, Volkswagen expand alliance to include auto and electric vehicles

Ford and Volkswagen have announced an expansion of their global alliance which will also include the development of electric vehicles and autonomous technology.

As part of the deal, the German company will supply the platform as well as unspecified components that are likely to include the lithium-ion battery system and electric motor whereas the American giant will design and assemble the car at its facility in Cologne, Germany. VW will also invest $2.6 billion in Argo AI, the autonomous vehicle startup based in Pittsburgh that Ford first invested in 2017.

The deal between the two auto industry powerhouses is the expansion of their alliance announced in January to build pickup trucks and commercial vehicles.