Ford CEO: Europe Is Too Late to Curb Chinese Automakers

Ford CEO: It is already too late for Europe to hold back Chinese car manufacturers

Ford’s Chief Executive Jim Farley believes that Europe has already missed the opportunity to curb the expansion of Chinese car manufacturers, whilst the US can still prevent a repeat of this scenario. In his view, Washington should not rush to open up the American market to Chinese brands.

Ford CEO Jim Farley. Photo: F. Carter Smith/Bloomberg News

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“It is important not to rush and to exercise caution,” Farley said at the Automotive News Congress in Detroit. As a cautionary example, he cited the European market, where Chinese brands have managed to significantly strengthen their positions in just a few years, reports CNBC. “Now they have to deal with it, but it is already too late,” said the Ford chief.

Chinese carmakers are rapidly expanding their presence on the global market. According to GlobalData, their global market share has grown by almost 70 per cent between 2020 and 2025. Growth is particularly noticeable in Europe: whilst Chinese brands held only a negligible market share in 2020, this reached 12 per cent in August, according to Dataforce.

At the same time, Ford’s own strategy in Europe involves not only competition but also collaboration with Chinese companies. In July, Ford and Geely announced a joint venture set to begin producing electric vehicles at Ford’s plant in Spain in early 2027. The American company is also collaborating with the Chinese firm CATL on battery production in the US.

Farley explains this approach by the need to reduce capital expenditure and utilise Chinese technology in areas where Ford does not hold the relevant intellectual property. “We will cooperate with the Chinese where it makes sense, whilst at the same time competing with them,” he said.

Ford’s stance has already raised questions in Washington. In September, US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy expressed concern about the company’s ties with Chinese partners.

Meanwhile, the issue of Chinese car manufacturers’ access to the US market remains unresolved. The US effectively restricts imports of Chinese cars through high tariffs and a ban on the use of Chinese automotive software. Against this backdrop, further restrictions are being discussed in Congress.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.

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