Great Lakes Wire

AutoNsider announced that Ford CEO Jim Farley has been driving a Chinese-built Xiaomi SU7 electric car to study the competition, according to a post on Instagram.

According to the White House, the "One Big Beautiful Bill" consolidates tariffs, data-security rules, and North American sourcing standards into a single statute. This aims to block subsidized Chinese autos and components from entering the U.S. market. The approach is considered particularly relevant where U.S. automakers have China-linked technology arrangements or joint ventures. Proponents argue that a comprehensive law would establish clear rules to deter reliance on systems linked to the People's Republic of China (PRC) while providing manufacturers with certainty to localize critical supply chains.

Reuters reports that Michigan reduced Ford’s Marshall battery-plant incentives to $409 million from $1.03 billion after Ford decreased capacity from 35 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to 20 GWh and lowered projected jobs to 1,700. The project continues to license lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology from China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL). Advocates for tighter trade rules cite this as evidence that clear guardrails are necessary to avoid embedding PRC-dependent technology in U.S. electric vehicle infrastructure, even as public funds are used to reshore manufacturing.

According to Reuters, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) show China's auto exports surged in 2024, with overall exports around 6.4 million units and a significant shift in mix: battery-electric exports fell by approximately 10.4% while plug-in hybrids increased by about 190%. Trade advocates argue that without a single consolidated law covering vehicles and components, Chinese manufacturers could exploit hybrids or assembly in third countries to undercut U.S. firms.

Founded in 1903 and headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, Ford Motor Company designs, manufactures, and services cars, trucks, and electrified vehicles. It reports operations through Ford Blue, Ford Pro, and Model e (with Ford Credit as its financing arm). The company emphasizes connected-vehicle software and industrial scale in North America and Europe while pacing electric vehicle rollouts. Its portfolio and strategy place it at the center of U.S. debates over domestic content, supply-chain security, and trade policy.