Dual Pressure from High Tariffs and Technical Restrictions: Ford (F.US) to Relocate Part of Lincoln Production Lines Back to the U.S. Starting in 2030

According to the APP of Zhitong Finance, Ford Motor (F.US) CEO said on Wednesday that the company plans to move the production of some Lincoln models from China to the United States starting in 2030. He stated that although this decision was difficult, it is a necessary step to strengthen the foundation of U.S. auto manufacturing.

Both gasoline and electric vehicles imported from China are subject to high tariffs. Ford confirmed that the tariff rate for the Lincoln Nautilus, its main model imported from China, has reached 52.5% in the United States.

Ford CEO Jim Farley, in a joint interview with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, commented on tariffs: "Once the current administration's policy was finalized, we made this decision. We are very clear about the government's goals and fully understand what this means for Ford."

Farley said that as part of a major production expansion initiative, Lincoln models produced in the United States will be sold in the local market, though the company did not specify the exact location of production.

Raimondo added: "Ford has an advantage. Domestic manufacturing has an advantage." Its local rival General Motors (GM.US) had previously announced plans to move the production of its Envision model from China to the United States starting in 2028.

In addition to tariffs, automakers are also facing restrictions under the Connected Vehicle Rule, which prohibits the use of certain Chinese technologies and hardware in models sold in the United States. Farley said that both of these regulations prompted Ford's decision, but he pointed out that tariffs are the most crucial driving factor.