Ford Motor Co. is preparing to make a bigger push in electric vehicles, according to Morgan Stanley.
The company doesn’t currently offer any electric cars, although it has been heavily investing in such technology. The carmaker’s ongoing discussions with Volkswagen AG promise to take its electric-car ambitions “to the next level,” analysts led by Adam Jonas wrote in a note on July 3, adding that such a deal mitigates financial risks from electric car investment.
“While Ford and VW have yet to announce any definitive agreement around joint-BEV development,” Morgan Stanley wrote, referring to battery electric vehicles, “we believe investors should prepare for significant levels of potential collaboration to share development and manufacturing costs.”
A logo is displayed on the steering wheel of a VW I.D. Buggy electric concept automobile. Volkswagen AG is nearing a deal to cooperate with Ford Motor Co. on electric-car technology and self-driving vehicles. (Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg)
Ford shares rose as much as 1.7% to $10.29 on July 3, the highest level since May 17.
An announcement could be imminent. Bloomberg has reported that Volkswagen’s supervisory board plans to discuss, and possibly approve, the next steps toward expanding its alliance with Ford when it meets next week, according to people familiar with the matter. The two companies announced a collaboration on vans and pickup trucks back in January.
