Ford Trucks, the heavy commercial vehicle arm of Ford Otosan, and Iveco, a brand of Italy-headquartered Iveco Group, have announced that they have signed a binding agreement to jointly develop a new cabin for heavy-duty trucks.

The deal formalises a non-binding memorandum of understanding announced in March last year. Under the agreement, the two companies will collaborate on the design and engineering of the new cabin and explore common sourcing where feasible.

Both Ford Trucks and Iveco will manufacture and assemble the cabins in their own facilities, incorporating their distinct styling and selling the vehicles under their respective brand.

The new cabin aims to enhance the competitiveness of both brands by meeting forthcoming EU Direct Vision Standards and improving aerodynamics to reduce carbon emissions. The focus will be on cabin comfort, safety, aerodynamics, modularity, and cost-efficiency, with compatibility across various powertrains. Production of the first cabins is expected by 2028, according to Ford Trucks.

Through this agreement and as a result of their joint efforts, the two companies expect to attain a new top-line modular cabin family with state-of-the-art technology, far superior to the cabins previously planned, while fostering significant savings in investments. The joint development is projected to cost a total of 343 million euros ($390 million), shared by both companies.

Present at the signing ceremony were Güven Özyurt, General Manager of Ford Otosan; Emrah Duman, Vice President of Ford Trucks; Olof Persson, CEO, Iveco Group; and Luca Sra, President, Truck Business Unit, Iveco Group.

Duman highlighted Ford Trucks’ dedication to engineering, innovation and delivering high-quality solutions for the heavy commercial vehicle industry: “At Ford Trucks, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of engineering excellence. This Joint Development Agreement is a testament to our capability to design and develop cutting-edge solutions that not only meet but exceed the industry’s evolving standards. By joining forces with Iveco, we are enhancing our ability to deliver innovative, high-performance cabins that will set new benchmarks in safety, aerodynamics, and driver comfort, all while ensuring cost efficiency and regulatory compliance.”

Sra stated: “We are thrilled to take our partnership with Ford Trucks to the next level through this agreement. By sharing engineering expertise and combining our strengths, we will create a product that sets new standards in safety, efficiency, quality and driver comfort. This agreement is a strategic move that will allow both Iveco and Ford Trucks to remain at the forefront of the market, well-prepared to comply with new regulations and deliver exceptional quality and value to our customers.”

Ford Trucks is Ford’s only heavy commercial brand, producing a range of vehicles including tractors, construction trucks, and distribution trucks weighing over 16 tons. Combining expertise in market-specific product development with over 60 years’ design and manufacturing experience, Ford Trucks designs key components for its vehicles, including all-new engines. Operating across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Eurasia, Ford Trucks continues to grow its international network on three continents. 

Iveco this year marks 50 years since its foundation in 1975, when five leading European industrial vehicle manufacturers came together, with a programme of activities to celebrate their rich legacy of excellence and innovation in the transport sector. Iveco combines under one umbrella: Fiat Veicoli Industriali (which included Officine Meccaniche and Lancia Veicoli Speciali), Unic, and Magirus-Deutz.

The company’s 50th-anniversary celebrations will culminate in “50xBeyond”, a landmark four-day event by Iveco Group at Officine Grandi Riparazioni-OGR Turin next month (June 12 to 15). This flagship gathering will honour Ivecoo’s rich heritage, deeply rooted in its Italian DNA, while shining a light on its bold vision for the future.

Beyond this signature event, Iveco is planning a year-long programme of activities to connect its legacy with its future aspirations. It will also mark this significant milestone with the release of Limited Edition light and heavy vehicles bearing specially-designed commemorative liveries that blend the brand’s rich heritage with its forward-looking ethos. The Limited Edition Iveco S-Way will be officially launched this month at the Moto GP in Misano, Italy.