Ford CEO Jim Farley has long admired his rivals from China, as automakers in that part of the world have made up quite a lot of ground in recent years. Today, Chinese automakers are actually ahead of their global competition in terms of technology – particularly when it comes to EVs – while heavy government subsidies and copious amounts of raw materials present domestically have given them quite the advantage. Recently, Farley once again touched on the subject of Ford’s Chinese EV rivals and just how important this competition really is.
“We really see not the global OEMs as the competitive set for our next generation of EVs. We see the Chinese,” Farley said during Ford’s Q2 2025 earnings call with investors. “Companies like Geely and BYD, and that’s how we built our vehicle, how we’ve engineered what kind of supply chain we’ve used, and the kind of low content in our manufacturing. And a key part of that is our LFP battery built in Marshall, Michigan, and it’s a big advantage for the company.”
This is just one of many times that Farley has taken the opportunity to discuss Chinese EVs, which he sees as an existential threat to the future of Ford, in general, if it can’t catch up in various ways. The executive has admitted that Chinese automakers are ahead of the game in numerous areas, including quality, as well as technology.
Thus, Ford is working to catch up in those departments, as well as things like cutting costs to become more competitive. Farley previously said that sourcing EV components at cheaper prices is key to making its own electric vehicles more cost-competitive, too. In the meantime, the CEO has spent time behind the wheel of several Chinese EV models, even bringing five of them home to the U.S. to tool around in here as well.
It'll combine road and race car development programs.
Automakers have shelled out hundreds of millions for violations in recent years.
Another unique way to get out on the trails.
Before a more thorough redesign in 2029.
A new, sporty all-electric van.
Enabling it to gain market share, too.
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Who cares, Jim? America doesn't want EVs and won't for another decade. STILL haven't figured that out yet, huh? Brainy. Not.
You have to figure it takes Farley about three years after everyone else to get it .
Let's see some of your data backing what America will want in 10 years, not to mention where solid state battery tech will be at, this could be amazing insight into consumer spending trends heading forwards.....
"Farley previously said that sourcing EV components at cheaper prices is key to making its own electric vehicles more cost-competitive, too."
That says it all. The massive recalls will continue into the electric age at Ford. You cannot beat your suppliers into a non profit and expect to have anything more than substandard quality.
What did a 70" flat panel TV cost 10 years ago versus today? Has the quality gone down? Economies of scale and automated assembly have something to do with it.
Electric is the future. You ding dongs will see. Farley is saving Ford.
Not a chance. Where the hell is the electricity coming from? EI is going to suck up all the power.
Jim Farley is like Mr. Obvious. He should be focusing on quality issues that the Ford Motor Company is experiencing. It is surprising to me that he hasn’t been fired. He has made some serious bad decisions.