Ford Fiesta set for an electric comeback?

• Ford teams up with Renault
• Partnership will see Ford introducing two new EVs
• Cars will be based on Renault’s ‘Ampere’ platform
• Same underpinnings as Renault 5 and Renault 4
• First cars expected early 2028.

Is the discontinued Ford Fiesta being primed for a glorious comeback? It just might be, judging by Ford’s new announcement.

The famous Blue Oval brand has just signed a strategic partnership with Renault.

The new collab will see Ford introducing two affordable electric cars in Europe, with the first vehicles due to arrive in 2028.

Ford’s incoming EVs will feature the firm’s own distinct design and driving dynamics but will sit on Renault’s ‘Ampere’ electric platform.

Will the Ford Fiesta be brought back as an EV?

To answer that question, let's first look at what the Renault-Ford team-up means. There are actually two distinct Ampere architectures.

The ‘AmpR Small’ underpins cars like the Renault 5-E-Tech, Renault 4 E-Tech, the incoming Renault Twingo E-Tech, and the Nissan Micra EV (because Renault and Nissan are also long-term industry chums).

And if Ford is going to launch a compact EV to rival the Renault 5 or Nissan Micra, we could be looking at a hatchback that’s destined to wear the famous ‘Fiesta’ badge - despite the fact that the Fiesta was officially discontinued in 2023.

The other Ampere platform is called ‘AmpR Medium’ and, as the name suggests, it provides the electric oomph for slightly larger cars like the Renault Megane E-Tech, Renault Scenic E-Tech, and the Nissan Ariya.

So, we could also see Ford adding another vehicle to the crossover leasing market - potentially one that sits between the Puma Gen-E (above) and the larger Capri.

All of this is speculation as it stands, with details on both cars still to be revealed. 

If we had to get ahead of ourselves, we'd point out that the AmpR Small platform also drives the Alpine A290 hot hatchback - so there's scope to revive the much-loved Ford Fiesta ST, too!

Why has Ford partnered with Renault?

Jim Farley, president and CEO at Ford Motor Company, said: "The strategic partnership with Renault Group marks an important step for Ford and supports our strategy to build a highly efficient and fit-for-the future business in Europe. We will combine Renault Group’s industrial scale and EV assets with Ford’s iconic design and driving dynamics to create vehicles that are fun, capable, and distinctly Ford in spirit."

François Provost, CEO Renault Group, adds: "In the long term, combining our strengths with Ford will make us more innovative and more responsive in a fast-changing European automotive market."

The models will be produced by Renault Group in northern France.

The new agreement goes beyond just cars.

Ford and Renault will also join forces to produce light commercial vehicles - a bit like the relationship Ford already has with VW that sees the Ford Transit Custom and VW Transporter sharing the same fundamental components.

All of this is set against a landscape where Ford’s boss Jim Farley says western carmakers are ‘in a fight for our lives’ against stiff competition from Chinese vehicles.

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