Ford to move some Lincoln production from China back to U.S. to avoid tariffs

Ford Motor Company announced plans to shift some Lincoln vehicle production from China back to the United States, beginning in 2030. This strategic move is largely a response to significant tariffs imposed on vehicles imported from China, which have impacted the profitability of key models.

Specifically, the Lincoln Nautilus, a major import from China, faces a substantial 52.5% tariff in the U.S. Ford CEO Jim Farley stated that government policies directly influenced this decision, emphasizing its necessity for bolstering the American auto manufacturing sector. The company intends to sell these U.S.-made Lincolns in the domestic market, though production locations have not yet been specified.

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Government policy is clear, and we immediately made this decision. Ford knows exactly what they want to do, and they know exactly what that means for Ford.

Farley highlighted that both tariffs and evolving regulations for connected vehicles are driving this change. While tariffs are the primary factor, new rules restricting Chinese technology and hardware in U.S. vehicle models also play a role. Ford is among several automakers seeking authorization to continue selling vehicles potentially affected by these regulations.

General Motors, another major U.S. automaker, is making a similar shift, planning to move production of its Buick Envision model from China to the U.S. starting in 2028. These decisions underscore a broader trend of automakers re-evaluating their global supply chains and manufacturing footprints in response to geopolitical and regulatory pressures.

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Ford has an advantage, and American manufacturing has an advantage.