Along with his status as Tesla CEO, Elon Musk has also been serving as a senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump and the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DODE), playing a role in that administration’s quest to reduce costs. Musk and Ford CEO Jim Farley have long been rivals, as one might imagine, but at the same time, have also exchanged several pleasantries publicly via the social media platform X (which Musk also owns) – and that’s precisely where Farley has seemingly now invited Elon Musk to come visit Michigan.
We should never lose sight of the breadth and value of American innovation. It’s the lifeblood of our economy and extends beyond assembly. I invite anyone to Michigan to see for themselves how the best selling F-150 goes all the way from sketch pad to engineering lab to test… pic.twitter.com/ecFBybBy7W
— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) April 8, 2025
With 25 percent tariffs being implemented on imported vehicles by the Trump administration recently, Ford was quick to tout the fact that it assembles more vehicles in the U.S. than any other manufacturer, and sources most parts from the same place – which puts it in a better position than every automaker, save for Tesla, when it comes to avoiding tariffs. Elon Musk has also stated that Tesla is the most vertically integrated (around 80 percent), American-made car company, as it controls its own supply chain and builds its own software, power electronics, and vehicle control systems in-house, and even many things like seats and batteries that others get from suppliers.
Thus, Farley is seemingly inviting Elon Musk, who he tagged in this post – and anyone, really – to come visit the automaker’s Dearborn headquarters and the Dearborn Truck plant. Meanwhile, Ford has resigned itself to the fact that it will have to pay tariffs on imported automobiles and major components, though it’s lobbying the Trump administration to leave lower-cost parts built in other countries using cheaper labor out of the equation – levies that would have a significant impact on costs, by Farley’s own admission.
Comments
Oh gawd. Dumb move, but maybe Jimmy can go work for Tesla. Hopefully.
No, it will be the other way around. Musk will lose Tesla snd work for Ford after Trump fires him.
What possible use would Ford have for Musk? Handing out layoff notices?
Brett, you almost got the abbreviation of “the Department of Government Efficiency correct, you forgot to add a “U” and another “D”…DUDD.
I hope he doesn’t have him teach Jim how to do that dumb dance, especially like the dance shown on SNL.
I also wonder if there are any components in the Tesla that are imported? Does anyone know for sure?
There are some things that are imported, sure. Musk claims the average Tesla is around 80% domestic content. Now, what those imported parts are exactly, that I have no idea.
What is this issue about who is more “American” if Musk was born in South Africa?
Musk sneaked in under a false visa.
Musk is far smarter and has accomplished and contributed so much more to America than Farley ever will. Farley is like a Mr. Obvious status quo leader. Musk is an inventor with a vision. Farley could never manage a space company too many quality issues.
Wrong…. Musk never invented anything. The loser bought those companies from someone else.
He found out there was a huge demand for electric cars, when Detroit just ignored it. Now the USA industry is years behind the rest of the world.
It seems to have worked out well for Tesla, and Musk, until he went off the rails.
And by off the rails you mean that he switched his allegiance from the Democratic party elites (when you probably loved the guy) to the Conservative Republican party. You liberals sure are fickle hypocrites. TDS at it’s finest on display.
You hit the nail on the head.
You’re an idiot. WRONG.
Not good. Now I have to worry about “adult” Democrats vandalizing my Fords for something I had no involvement in.
I’m surprised at how many are old Dems. Trying to relive their old hippy days, I guess. Bunch of old dorks.
Would absolutely love to see Jim and Elon join forces.