in detroit, ford ceo 'optimistic' auto industry can get trump's ear on tariffs
detroit, mich.— ford motor company ceo jim farley said ...
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'already talked to president trump.' ford motor company president and ceo jim farley stands between the ford mustang rtx (left) and the ford mustang gtd at a ford "detroit proud" event at the 2025 detroit auto show at huntington place on jan. 9, 2025 in detroit. the show opens to the public jan. 11 to 20.
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detroit, mich.— ford motor company ceo jim farley said he’s optimistic the auto industry will find a way to navigate through u.s. president-elect donald trump’s tariff threats to find a solution that avoids inflicting significant damage on the highly integrated north american industry. “even though ford is the no. 1 assembler of vehicles in the united states by a long shot, a lot of our supply chain depends on countries around the world,” said farley at a media event thursday ahead of the 2025 detroit auto show that opens to the public saturday.
“tariffs are really challenging for any company. i’m confident that with ford being who it is we’ll work with the administration through these very difficult times of a global economy that’s starting to change.
“i’m very optimistic based on our conversations so far, that we’ll be able to make progress.”
farley also confirmed that the oldest american automaker may turn out to be one of canada’s most effective lobbyists given trump’s public dismissals of canadian concerns and politicians this week.
the company isn’t keen on seeing its extensive supply chain and production facilities outside the u.s. hammered with a universal 25 per cent tariff trump is threatening to impose on all canadian and mexican imports once in office january 20.
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“(ford chair) bill (ford), has already talked to president trump,” farley confirmed. “the message is simple — ford is the no. 1 automaker (in the u.s.).
“we produce more vehicles in the united states than anyone. we export more vehicles than anyone. we have the most uaw workers of anyone.
“we are america’s car company. let’s work together and make our industry stronger.
“we have a lot of policy decisions to make. from tariffs, co2 policy, and we can work together to make our industry stronger and help companies like ford that have bet on america.”
farley added his company is also lobbying the new administration about retaining at least some parts of the inflation reduction act (ira). trump has threatened to scrap the package of supports that were aimed at stimulating electric vehicle and battery plant investment in the u.s.
the ira also resulted in canadian governments offering similarly competitive terms to land such investments.
“the really key ira policy that we’re talking to lawmakers about is the production credit,” farley said. “the credit is critical for our industry.
“it would be a significant impact for our industry if it goes away. many of our plants in the midwest have converted to evs and depend on the production credit.
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“we would’ve built those factories in other places, but we didn’t.
“our marshall, michigan, factory with lfp batteries, the reason why we’re building that in michigan is because of the production tax credit. it changed the math for a lot of investment.”
farley added the industry remains in flux on the pathway to fuller electrification. he’s hoping the trump administration quickly provides automakers with some clarity on the timelines for meeting tougher emission standards and ev sales mandates.
“i’m very optimistic about the transition from co2,” said farley. “however, the regulations and the policy can’t be ahead of where customers are. that’s going to be the rub this year.
“we have to work with the administration for those 2027 and beyond requirements for epa for california.”
farley pointed out ford is second behind tesla in ev sales in north america and third in hybrids.
“we’re no. 3 to toyota and honda in hybrids, but we’re 80 per cent market share in hybrids for trucks,” farley said.
“our hybrids are totally different than other people. that is unique positioning for us.
“we feel like now customers are more willing to pay for the cost of hybrids. hybrids are a huge business for us around the world in our trucks.”
