The first Galaxy was designed as a joint venture product between Ford and the Volkswagen Group, in order to catch up with the original MPV Renault Espace. Produced at the joint-venture AutoEuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal, the vehicle was badge-engineered to create three vehicles: the Ford Galaxy; by Volkswagen Passenger Cars as the Volkswagen Sharan; and by SEAT as the Alhambra.