In recent years, Ford has pulled out of a few global markets amid declining sales, and it has also downsized its operations and ceased production in certain other countries as well. Thus, one could assume that The Blue Oval may continue to shrink its global presence even more moving forward, even as it continues to invest in many of those markets to keep them afloat. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case at all, at least, according to some recent comments from Ford Vice Chair John Lawler.
“That’s important for us because with the shifts that are happening in the industry, we believe we need to be a global player,” Lawler said at the recent Bank of America Securities 2025 Automotive Summit. “The competitive nature of where the Chinese are heading, they’re looking to dominate around the world. If we get pushed back into just operating here in the United States and being a U.S. auto maker, large profit, but where does that put us as a company in 10 to 15 years? We have to compete and we have to learn to compete globally against the best that are out there. That’s what we’re doing.”
These comments come as Ford faces weak demand for its passenger vehicles and EVs in Europe, though also a robust commercial market that is prompting it to adjust its footprint in that region to compensate. The automaker has also faced its fair share of struggles in the hyper-competitive Chinese automotive market, but its shift in strategy there also resulted in strong 2024 financial results as well.
Meanwhile, Ford CEO Jim Farley recently admitted that the automaker considered pulling out of the Australian market altogether not too long ago, where it has operated for a full century. That’s no longer the case amid a sales surge there, however, and Executive Chairman Bill Ford just admitted that Ford Australia remains an important part of the company’s portfolio today.
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Fine, but, like GM, there's absolutely no reason to continue attempting to sell in China. Not wanted.
I don’t believe that there is a market where Ford is not having a tough time. What does that tell you?
Unless you are the lead dog, the view never changes.