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The French automotive firm Renault and the US-based Ford announced a partnership Tuesday for passenger and commercial vehicles to soon offer two affordable electric cars in Europe.

"A cornerstone of this collaboration is a partnership agreement for the development of two distinct Ford-branded electric vehicles," Renault said in a statement.

"The new models will be based on the Ampere platform, leveraging Renault Group's strong EV assets and competitiveness, and produced by Renault Group in the North of France, illustrating Ampere's ElectriCity's 'state-of-the-art' manufacturing capabilities and expertise,” it said.

Renault said the two cars were designed by Ford and developed with Renault, and will feature distinctive driving dynamics, authentic Ford-brand DNA and intuitive experiences.

The first of the two vehicles is expected in showrooms in early 2028, it added.

The companies have also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for a European light commercial vehicle collaboration.

"Under this LOI, the partners will explore the opportunity to jointly develop and manufacture Renault and Ford's branded selected light commercial vehicles," according to the statement.