It’s not news that Ford intends to sell electric cars in Europe that are based on the Volkswagen MEB electric car platform. What is news is that the company plans to reveal the first such model this spring. At a media event at the Ford Europe Design Center last week, Martin Sander, head of the Model E electric vehicle division at Ford, lifted a part of the shroud covering a new car and said, “Can’t wait for 2023 to arrive, when we will pull off the cover of our first electric passenger vehicle coming from Cologne.”

Great to see so many of our media friends today in our @Ford in Europe Design Center. Can’t wait for 2023 to arrive, when we will pull the cover of our first electric passenger vehicle coming from #Cologne. #EVs #ElectricVehicle #NewYear2023 pic.twitter.com/3wH3ixEWCW

— Martin Sander (@MSander22) December 15, 2022

What did that sneak peek tell us about the new, as yet unnamed car? Very little other than it is an SUV-style vehicle based on its shape. Autocar says it is evident that Ford’s new EV will be aimed squarely at cars like the Toyota bZ4X, Nissan Ariya, and Volvo XC40 Recharge. It also says the styling of Ford’s future offerings will be influenced by the company’s two most popular vehicles — the F-150 pickup truck and the Bronco.

A few days ago, Peter Zillig, the head of European marketing for Ford, posted his own teaser image (see above). Zillig said all new Ford models will be designed according to the Adventurous Spirit ethos,…