The biggest auto industry story at the Detroit auto show may not be about a vehicle, but about a partnership between two industry giants.
Ford and Volkswagen have been talking for months about an alliance, and the timing may be right to announce their intentions at the North American International Auto Show next week during media previews.
Organizers have listed a ‘pending industry announcement’ next Tuesday morning on the main stage.
Ford and VW have been exploring linkups in a number of areas, including joint development of vehicles. For example, VW may base a new small pickup truck on the Ford Ranger, which Ford redesigned.
Volkswagen has already said it’s looking at the possibility of building vehicles at Ford plants in the U-S that have excess capacity.
Bill Ford Jr. has said the talks were going well.