Volkswagen and Ford are in preliminary talks over a development and production alliance for commercial transporter vans, two sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
An announcement could come as soon as Tuesday after Volkswagen’s supervisory board gave its managers a green light to strike a deal with U.S.-based Ford, the two Germany-based sources said.
The goal is a partnership to share development and production costs. Preliminary talks have already been held, one of the sources said.
Volkswagen declined to comment on a possible alliance with Ford, but said: “As a leading automotive producer we consider various joint ventures with other companies across the globe.”
Ford Chief Executive Jim Hackett said it was “premature” to discuss a possible deal with VW on vans.
“We have been and will continue working with a variety of companies and discussing a variety of subjects tied to our business plans,” Ford of Europe said, declining to comment on “speculation.”