If you’ve been looking at vans recently, you might have noticed something confusing: the new VW Transporter looks a lot like a Ford Transit Custom. The new Ford Transit Connect looks a lot like a VW Caddy. That’s because they are – sort of. It’s all down to the new Ford-VW partnership that brings these two giants together in alliance.
Ford and VW announced a partnership in 2019 to share van and pickup development. The idea was simple: rather than both companies spending billions developing similar vehicles, they’d split the work. Each company leads where they’re strongest, and the other gets a rebadged version.
Here’s how it actually works – and what it means if you’re buying a van or campervan.
The Simple Explanation of the Ford & VW partnership
| Vehicle type | Who developed it | Vehicles |
| Small van | VW | VW Caddy / Ford Transit Connect |
| Medium van | Ford | Ford Transit Custom / VW Transporter T7 |
| Large van | VW (not partnership) | VW Crafter / MAN TGE |
| Pickup | Ford | Ford Ranger / VW Amarok |
| Electric car platform | VW | VW ID range / Ford Explorer, Capri |
The simple rule: go with whoever developed the platform. They know it best, and their dealers have the most experience with the systems.
Small Vans: VW Caddy / Ford Transit Connect
Developer: VW
The current VW Caddy (Mk5) and Ford Transit Connect are the same vehicle underneath. VW developed it:
- Platform: VW’s MQB architecture (same as VW Golf)
- Petrol engine: VW’s 1.5 TSI (branded EcoBoost on Ford)
- Diesel engine: VW’s 2.0 TDI (branded EcoBlue on Ford)
- PHEV system: VW’s 1.5 TSI hybrid with 19.7kWh battery and 114hp electric motor
- Gearbox: VW’s 6-speed DSG dual-clutch (branded PowerShift on Ford)
- Built: VW plant in Poznań, Poland
What’s the Same?
Almost everything mechanical. The platform, suspension, steering, brakes, engines, gearbox, battery, electric motor, charging system, and body structure from the windscreen backwards are identical. The load space dimensions, payload capacity, and towing limits are the same. The underlying electronics, safety systems, and driver assistance features are the same VW systems.
What’s Different?
- Front-end styling: Different grille, bumper, headlights, and bonnet give each brand its look
- Badges and branding: VW vs Ford logos throughout
- Infotainment branding: Same underlying system, different skin
- Trim level names: VW uses Commerce/Commerce Plus/Commerce Pro; Ford uses Trend/Limited/Active
- Dealer network: VW vs Ford service centres
Why the Caddy Gets VW’s PHEV System
The Caddy is built on VW’s MQB platform — the same architecture that underpins the Golf, Tiguan, and Passat. This is a car platform, not a traditional commercial van platform. That means the Caddy naturally gets VW’s car-derived PHEV system: the same 1.5 TSI hybrid that powers the Golf GTE, Tiguan eHybrid, and other VW plug-in hybrids.
VW has years of experience with this system across its car range. Their dealers know it inside out because they’ve been servicing it in Golfs and Tiguans for years. That expertise transfers directly to the Caddy.
Pricing
Interestingly, the VW Caddy eHybrid is actually slightly cheaper than the Ford Transit Connect PHEV — the Caddy starts at £28,435 (ex VAT) compared to £29,200 for the Transit Connect. So with the Caddy, you’re getting VW’s own engineering, VW dealer expertise, and a lower price.
Both vehicles have around 70-74 miles of electric range — enough to qualify for the Plug-in Van Grant.
What this means: If you’re buying a Caddy or Transit Connect, you’re getting VW engineering either way. VW dealers will know these systems best — the engines, the DSG gearbox, the hybrid system are all technology they’ve been working with for years. The Caddy is the ‘original’ — the Transit Connect is the rebadge. If you want a small campervan on this platform, we’d recommend the Caddy.
Medium Vans: Ford Transit Custom / VW Transporter T7
Developer: Ford
The current Ford Transit Custom and VW Transporter T7 are the same vehicle underneath. Ford developed it:
- Platform: Ford’s Transit Custom architecture
- Diesel engines: Ford’s 2.0L EcoBlue (built in Dagenham)
- PHEV system: Ford’s 2.5L Atkinson-cycle hybrid (same as Ford Kuga PHEV)
- Electric version: Ford’s E-Transit Custom technology
- Built: Ford Otosan plant in Turkey
The VW Transporter T7 is essentially a Ford Transit Custom with VW styling up front and VW badges. The body from the windscreen backwards is identical.
Why the Transit Custom Gets Ford’s PHEV System
Unlike the Caddy (which is built on a car platform), the Transit Custom is a proper commercial van platform — Ford’s own design. Ford has been developing PHEV technology for commercial vehicles since the first Transit Custom PHEV back in 2019. The current system uses Ford’s 2.5L Atkinson-cycle hybrid, the same proven powertrain they’ve been fitting to the Kuga PHEV for years.
This is where you see a strategic split in the partnership: VW leads on car-based PHEV technology (like in the Caddy), while Ford leads on commercial van PHEV technology (like in the Transit Custom). Each company brings their expertise to where it makes most sense.
The result? The Ford Transit Custom PHEV is available now. The VW Transporter eHybrid — which will use exactly the same Ford hybrid system, just rebadged — isn’t expected until 2026.
What this means: If you’re buying a Transit Custom or Transporter T7, you’re getting Ford engineering either way. Ford dealers will know these systems best — especially the PHEV, which uses the same hybrid system they’ve been servicing in the Kuga for years. The Transit Custom is the ‘original’ — the Transporter T7 is the rebadge. If you want a medium campervan with PHEV on this platform, the Transit Custom makes more sense.
Large Vans: VW Crafter / MAN TGE
Developer: VW (NOT part of Ford partnership)
The VW Crafter sits outside the Ford-VW partnership entirely. It’s 100% VW.
- Platform: VW’s own large van architecture
- Engines: VW’s 2.0 TDI diesel range
- Electric version: VW e-Crafter
- Built: VW plant in Września, Poland
The MAN TGE is a rebadged Crafter — but MAN is owned by the VW Group, so this is an internal rebadge, not a partnership with another company.
(Confusingly, the first-generation Crafter, before 2017, was a rebadged Mercedes Sprinter. But VW and Mercedes ended that arrangement, and the current Crafter is VW’s own design from scratch.)
What this means: If you’re buying a Crafter, you’re getting VW engineering through and through. VW dealers are the experts. It’s not related to any Ford product.
Pickups: Ford Ranger / VW Amarok
Developer: Ford
Same story as the Transit Custom. The current Ford Ranger and VW Amarok share Ford’s T6.2 platform. Ford developed it, VW rebadged it. The Amarok has more distinctive styling than the Transporter (VW put more effort into differentiating it), but underneath it’s a Ranger.
Electric Cars: VW MEB Platform
Developer: VW
VW developed its MEB electric platform for vehicles like the ID.3, ID.4, and ID Buzz. Ford is using this platform for some European electric cars — the Ford Explorer and Ford Capri (the new electric ones, not the classic names) are built on MEB. So in this case, Ford is using VW’s electric technology.
What Happened to the VW California?
If you’re looking for a campervan, you might have noticed that VW no longer offers a California version of the Caddy or the Transporter. This isn’t a coincidence.
The VW California has been VW’s factory-built campervan since 2003. It used to be available on the Transporter (the classic California), on the Caddy (Caddy California), and on the Crafter (Grand California).
But since the Ford partnership:
- Transporter California: Discontinued in 2024 when the T6.1 ended production. The new Transporter T7 is built on Ford’s platform, and there’s no California version.
- Caddy California: Now closed for order in the UK. The Caddy shares its platform with Ford’s Transit Connect.
- New California: Moved to the Multivan platform, which is 100% VW (not shared with Ford).
- Grand California: Still available on the Crafter, which is also 100% VW.
The pattern is clear: VW isn’t putting California branding on platforms shared with Ford. Whether this is a commercial decision, a brand protection issue, or something else, the result is that if you want a factory campervan from VW on the Caddy or Transporter platform, it’s no longer an option.
(Interestingly, VW doesn’t currently offer a California on the ID Buzz either — even though that’s 100% VW. Our view is that a California version of the ID Buzz will eventually come, but probably not for a few years yet. For now, VW seems focused on the Multivan California.)
This is where converters like us come in. We offer campervan conversions on the Caddy Maxi and Transit Custom PHEV — the platforms VW has stepped back from. You get a proper campervan on these excellent base vehicles, just not with a VW California badge.
Why All of This Matters for Buyers
Servicing and PHEV Expertise
If you’re buying a rebadged vehicle, the dealer network of the ‘original’ brand will generally know the systems better. This is especially true for PHEV models:
- Caddy/Transit Connect PHEV: VW dealers know these systems best. The PHEV uses VW’s car-derived hybrid technology — the same system they service in Golfs, Tiguans, and Passats every day.
- Transit Custom/Transporter PHEV: Ford dealers know these systems best. Ford developed the commercial van PHEV system, and they’ve been servicing the same 2.5L Atkinson hybrid in Kugas for years.
- Crafter: VW dealers — it’s 100% VW, not a partnership vehicle.
Pricing and Value
Pricing varies by model. For the Caddy/Transit Connect, the VW is actually slightly cheaper — you get VW engineering, VW dealer support, and a lower price with the Caddy. For the Transit Custom/Transporter, you’re typically paying VW prices for Ford engineering if you choose the Transporter — that’s where the Transit Custom makes more sense financially.
Availability
The ‘original’ brand sometimes gets variants to market faster. The Ford Transit Custom PHEV is available now; the VW Transporter eHybrid isn’t expected until 2026. For small vans, both the Caddy eHybrid and Transit Connect PHEV are now available (2025).
Parts and Accessories
Because the bodies are identical from the windscreen backwards, aftermarket parts and conversion components (like campervan furniture, pop-top roofs, etc.) fit both versions. Reimo components designed for the T7 fit the Transit Custom and vice versa.
What About Other Vans?
The Ford-VW partnership only covers these specific vehicle types. Other manufacturers have their own arrangements:
- Stellantis vans (Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën, Vauxhall) share platforms within their group — so the Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Expert, Citroën Dispatch, and Vauxhall Vivaro are all the same van. Toyota also uses this platform for the Proace.
- Mercedes develops its own vans independently (Vito, Sprinter).
- Renault has its own van range (Trafic, Master) and also supplies to Nissan and Mitsubishi.
The Bottom Line
The Ford-VW partnership means you can sometimes get essentially the same vehicle with different badges. The key is knowing who actually developed what you’re buying — and going with that brand for the best ownership experience:
- Buying a small campervan (Caddy size)? Go with the VW Caddy. It’s VW’s platform, VW’s engines, VW’s hybrid system — VW dealers know it inside out, and it’s actually cheaper than the Ford.
- Buying a medium campervan (Transporter size) with PHEV? Go with the Ford Transit Custom. It’s Ford’s platform, Ford’s hybrid system, Ford dealers know it best, and it’s available now.
- Buying a Crafter or MAN TGE? VW engineering through and through. Not part of the partnership.
- Buying a Ranger or Amarok? Ford engineering. Ford is the expert.
This doesn’t make the rebadged versions bad — they’re the same vehicle underneath. But it’s worth knowing what you’re actually buying, especially when it comes to long-term ownership and PHEV servicing.
About Sunbox Campers
We’re electric campervan specialists based in East Sussex. We convert vehicles from both sides of the Ford-VW partnership — offering campervans on platforms that VW themselves do not currently offer Californias on:
- VW Caddy Maxi — our small campervan (VW-developed platform, VW’s car-derived PHEV system, VW dealers know it best, cheaper than the Ford)
- Ford Transit Custom PHEV — our medium PHEV campervan (Ford-developed platform, Ford’s commercial van PHEV system, available now)
- VW Transporter eHybrid — coming when available (same conversion as Transit Custom, same Ford hybrid system, your choice of badge)
- VW ID Buzz — VW’s own electric platform (not a partnership vehicle)
We also convert the Fiat e-Scudo (fully electric), which is part of the Stellantis family.
If you’re trying to work out which van is right for your campervan conversion, we’re happy to help you understand the options.