*By Amanda Weston*
Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen AG [announced](https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/feu/en/news/2019/01/15/volkswagen-ford-alliance.html) at the Detroit Auto Show they will form a "broad alliance," but the reality of a partnership may present certain conflicts for both companies.
"I think that this is going to be a very difficult friendship to make work because Ford ($F) is expected to make some pickup trucks for Volkswagen, which sounds good because Volkswagen needs those pickups in other markets," Nathan Bomey, business reporter at USA Today, told Cheddar Wednesday.
"The question is what if they end up wanting pickups in America, which is of course where Ford has its bread-and-butter pickups."
Bomey added that both carmakers will need to remain scrupulous about the details.
"And so they're going to have to make sure that they've got the details of this alliance worked out so that they don't step on each other's toes. But it does make some sense because Ford and Volkswagen need to be much more efficient companies, and in that respect they can help each other."
Both CEOs confirmed they plan to develop commercial vans and medium-sized pickups as early as 2022.
The two companies will also explore collaborating on autonomous and electric vehicles and mobility services. They have also said they are considering more advanced vehicle programs.
"If that comes to fruition, then that could certainly help spread out the cost, which they believe is important to end up getting across the finish line," Bomey said.
"This is very, very costly technology. The regulatory structure is going to be very difficult to navigate, and so they may need to partner to do this. And we are seeing other companies partner as well. The problem is that clash of cultures can be very difficult in the auto industry. You look at the [history](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2019/01/15/detroit-auto-show-volkswagen-ford-alliance/2578766002/) of these types of deals, a lot of times the culture clash just doesn't work out well."
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/ford-and-volkswagen-unveil-new-partnership-at-detroit-auto-show).
Ford is recalling more than 355,000 of its pickup trucks across the U.S. because of an instrument panel display failure that’s resulted in critical information, like warning lights and vehicle speed, not showing up on the dashboard.
Nvidia reported a 56% increase in second-quarter revenue and a 59% rise in net income compared to a year ago.
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President Donald Trump's administration last month awarded a $1.2 billion contract to build and operate what's expected to become the nation’s largest immigration detention complex to a tiny Virginia firm with no experience running correction facilities.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos claims audiences don't want to watch Netflix movies in theaters, but that seems not to be the case recently.
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Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it’s returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company’s plan to modernize.
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Southwest Airlines will soon require plus-size travelers to pay for an extra seat in advance if they can't fit within the armrests of one seat. This change is part of several updates the airline is making. The new rule starts on Jan. 27, the same day Southwest begins assigning seats. Currently, plus-size passengers can pay for an extra seat in advance and later get a refund, or request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the new policy, refunds are still possible but not guaranteed. Southwest said in a statement it is updating policies to prepare for assigned seating next year.
Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo. For now. But the chain is also apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.
