A Volkswagen executive in Australia says the German brand is “very excited” about its global alliance with Ford, which will see the Blue Oval brand take the lead on the development of the next-generation Ranger and Amarok bakkies.
Speaking to GoAuto.com.au, Ryan Davies, Volkswagen Group Australia director of commercial vehicles, described the early stages of the alliance as a “great collaboration”.
“For Volkswagen Australia and certainly commercial vehicles, we are very excited by it,” Davies told the publication.
“In terms of what can be shared and what can be leveraged … [that’s still] to be ironed out.
“But the reality of it is Ford is the lead on the mid-size pick-up project, and they will be too on the mid-size van, but we’ll take the lead role on the city van, which is the Caddy equivalent,” he said.
Still, Davies added VW would not be a “silent partner” in the bakkie-building process.
“Fundamentally, it’s a global alliance, but that doesn’t mean we are a silent partner in the development of the new Amarok and Ranger.
“It’s up to each company to protect the DNA of each respective brand and maintain the driving dynamics and design of their own products.”
The first bakkies built under the alliance are expected to hit the market in 2022.
