CEO Jim Farley on steering Ford through Trump’s tariffs
I told him, ‘Elon, we’ve got to talk about charging networks.’ And within a week, we had a deal. So, that’s a great thing about the auto industry – we all kind of work together to solve problems.”
Farley’s vision for Ford’s future is clear: electric, connected, and autonomous. And he’s not afraid to make bold moves to get there. In November, Ford announced it would invest $11.4 billion in electric vehicle manufacturing by 2025, with a goal of having 40% of its global sales be electric by 2030.
“We’re betting the company on electric vehicles,” Farley said. “We’re going to make the biggest bet in our history. And we’re going to do that because we believe that the customers want it. We also believe it’s a very profitable business, and we also believe that it’s the right thing to do for the planet.”
And Farley is not just talking the talk – he’s walking the walk. Last year, Ford announced it would be carbon neutral by 2050, a goal that includes not just its vehicles, but its manufacturing processes as well.
As for the workers at Ford’s Michigan Assembly, they’re excited about the shift to electric vehicles. “We’re proud to be on the cutting edge of this technology,” one worker said. “And we’re proud to be building the vehicles of the future.”
And for Jim Farley, that’s what it’s all about. “The auto industry is about making people’s lives better,” he said. “It’s about making it safer, making it cleaner, and making it more enjoyable. And that’s what we’re trying to do at Ford.”
Ford CEO Jim Farley was recently approached with an intriguing proposal: “is there any way you would share your supercharging network with Ford?” This question was posed in the context of a potential collaboration between Ford and another major automaker, Tesla, known for its extensive supercharging network for electric vehicles.
If you heard his name and noticed the resemblance to the late actor Chris Farley, you weren’t wrong: the “Saturday Night Live” star was Jim Farley’s cousin. “I think there’s, uh, a little bit of kid in all of us Farleys, a little bit of that kind of devilish, little snarky tomfoolery,” he said. “On the other hand, I would say I was, you know, kind of on the pretty serious side of the Farley spectrum!”
Jim Farley, known for his serious approach to leadership, will need every bit of that seriousness to steer Ford through one of its biggest economic and political tests in decades – building a future that keeps tens of thousands of American auto workers on the line. “What I care about is that transformation of Ford,” he said. “I’d like to be able to come back here in 20 years, if I’m still alive, and see all the people, that they’re still busy, like my grandfather. My grandfather had nothing until he had the Ford job. Our jobs as leaders are about them.”
The potential collaboration between Ford and Tesla could have significant implications for the electric vehicle market and the future of transportation. By sharing Tesla’s supercharging network, Ford could enhance the accessibility and convenience of electric vehicle charging for its customers. This partnership could also signal a new era of cooperation between traditional automakers and innovative tech companies in the race towards sustainable transportation solutions.
As Ford CEO Jim Farley navigates this new opportunity, he remains focused on the long-term success and sustainability of the company. His commitment to the transformation of Ford and the well-being of its employees reflects a deep sense of responsibility and dedication to the legacy of the iconic American automaker.
In conclusion, the potential collaboration between Ford and Tesla presents a unique opportunity for both companies to drive innovation and progress in the electric vehicle market. As Jim Farley leads Ford through this challenging yet promising time, his strategic vision and dedication to the company’s future will be crucial in shaping the automotive industry’s landscape for years to come.
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Story produced by Mark Hudspeth. Editor: Chad Cardin.
