In a move that still feels kind of like that time The Simpsons appeared on an episode of Family Guy, Volkswagen and Ford have signed a deal to develop a truck together.

Not only that, they’re also continuing to explore the prospect of a broader partnership, including one regarding autonomous driving and mobility tech sharing.

Huh. Maybe we all can get along after all.

The conversations of unity began in June of 2018, centering at first on commercial vehicles but leading to further discussion about electric and autonomous cars and eventually a pickup truck successor to the VW Amarok.

Now, with Volkswagen and Ford’s signatures on the dotted line and the Ford-based truck on the way, perhaps as early as 2022, thus confirming reports circulated back in January, the prospect of a greater money-saving agreement involving autonomous driving and mobility solutions between the two behemoths seems more likely.

“We are in constructive talks about taking a stake in Argo, the Ford division for autonomous driving. A joint company for offering mobility as a service is also a possibility,” Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles chief executive Thomas Sedran told Automotive News.

VW is apparently preparing to dump US$600 million into Argo for a 50-per-cent equity stake, and another US$1.1 billion to help with research and development.