U.S. auto¹ maker² Ford³ Motor Co. and its German counterpart, Volkswagen AG (VW), announced Tuesday they will join forces to build pickup⁴ trucks, vans and develop electric vehicles.

 

美国福特与德国大众周二宣布将联合生产小货车、货车，研发电动汽车。

 

The collaboration⁵ came as a decline in Ford's market share in Europe forced the company to cut thousands of jobs on the continent, amid VW's resolve to further tap into the North American market. The alliance is also an effort to salvage⁶ a downward sliding and rapidly transitioning auto industry as a whole.

 

"The companies estimate the commercial van and pickup cooperation will yield improved annual pre-tax operating results, starting in 2023," read a joint⁷ press release issued by the companies as they made the announcement via a conference call during the ongoing⁸ North America International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the U.S. state of Michigan.

 

According to the plan, Ford will make medium-sized pickup trucks for both companies while charting out development and production of larger vans for the European market. VW, for its part, will design and manufacture a new city van model.

 

The collaboration doesn't involve either side taking each other's shares, the press release said.

 

"Over time, this alliance will help both companies create value and meet the needs of our customers and society," Ford CEO Hackett said.

 

"It will not only drive significant efficiencies and help both companies improve their fitness, but also gives us the opportunity to collaborate⁹ on shaping the next era of mobility," he added.

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