Fiesta returns? Ford teams up with Renault in surprise move to revive small car strategy

Ford is preparing a return to the compact car segment, confirming a major platform-sharing deal with Renault that will underpin two all-new electric models — including a successor to the Fiesta. The cars will be designed by Ford but engineered around Renault’s Ampere platform, the same architecture used by the Renault 5, Renault 4 and Alpine A290.

The first model arrives in early 2028, giving Ford a cost-efficient route back into a market it exited when Fiesta production ended in 2023.

François Provost, CEO Renault Group, said the partnership shows the “strength of our competitiveness in Europe”, while Ford CEO Jim Farley said the collaboration will create EVs that are “fun, capable and distinctly Ford in spirit”.

Technical expectations are already clear: the Renault 5 currently offers 40kWh and 52kWh batteries and up to 252 miles WLTP, with outputs from 121bhp to 215bhp. These figures offer a strong indication of where Ford’s new small EVs may land on range and performance.

A light commercial vehicle collaboration is also being explored — a notable development given Ford’s dominance in European vans.

With Ford’s European market share now below 4%, the tie-up gives the brand a cost-effective path back into high-volume segments while leveraging Renault’s scale, battery tech and factory network in France.

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