“We’re in a global race with China—and it’s about more than just EVs. If we lose, there’s no future for Ford,” said CEO Jim Farley
Ford CEO Jim Farley raised concerns about China’s growing dominance in the electric vehicle market, calling it a major threat to the future of the American automaker.
Speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival in a panel with author Walter Isaacson, Farley revealed he had visited China six or seven times in the past year and came away deeply impressed—and alarmed.
“It’s the most humbling thing I’ve ever seen,” Farley said. “Seventy percent of all EVs globally are made in China.”
Farley praised the superior in-car technology found in Chinese EVs, highlighting seamless integration with major tech platforms like Huawei and Xiaomi. “You don’t need to pair your phone—your entire digital life is instantly mirrored in the car,” he noted.
He partly blamed the absence of U.S. tech giants like Google and Apple from the auto industry for Ford’s lag in digital integration. He also pointed to China’s advantage in cost, quality, and vehicle tech.
“We’re in a global competition with China—and it’s not just about EVs. If we lose this, there’s no future Ford,” Farley warned.
This isn’t Farley’s first time praising Chinese EV makers. In an October podcast, he called Xiaomi a “juggernaut” and admitted to daily driving the Xiaomi SU7—saying, “I don’t want to give it up.” The SU7, Xiaomi’s debut EV, sold out rapidly after launch. Its follow-up model, the YU7, a luxury SUV priced below Tesla’s Model Y, recently attracted over 200,000 orders.
Meanwhile, Ford is shifting gears. The company recently scrapped plans for several electric SUVs in favor of hybrids—a move expected to cost nearly $2 billion. Despite the shakeup, Ford’s stock is up more than 9% year to date.
Ford declined to comment on Farley’s remarks.
