DETROIT, Aug 13: Ford Motor Co. plans to move production of some Lincoln models from China to the United States beginning in 2030, Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley said, as the automaker responds to steep US tariffs and tighter restrictions on Chinese automotive technology.
Farley said the decision was difficult but necessary to strengthen the US manufacturing base. He said Ford acted after the administration established its tariff policy and the company understood the implications for vehicles imported from China.
The Lincoln Nautilus, Ford’s primary vehicle imported from China, currently faces a US tariff of 52.5%, according to the automaker. Ford plans to produce the affected Lincoln vehicles domestically for the US market as part of a broader effort to increase American manufacturing capacity.
The company has not yet disclosed which US facilities will handle the additional production.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick backed the move, saying domestic manufacturing provides Ford with a competitive advantage.
Ford said tariffs were the main factor behind the decision, while restrictions under the Connected Vehicle Rule also contributed. The regulations place limits on certain Chinese technology and hardware used in vehicles sold in the United States.
The automaker had previously sought clarification from the Commerce Department over whether the Nautilus could continue being sold in the US. Ford said its Nautilus software is developed in the United States but installed in China.
The company now says the vehicle does not require special authorization to remain on the US market. Ford sold around 34,000 Nautilus vehicles in the United States last year.
The planned production shift comes amid broader efforts by US policymakers to reduce dependence on Chinese automotive manufacturing and technology. The Senate Commerce Committee in July approved a proposal that would prohibit companies with more than 15% Chinese ownership from selling vehicles in the US if the measure becomes law.
Ford’s decision follows a similar move by General Motors, which plans to shift production of its Buick Envision from China to the United States beginning in 2028.
Lincoln already has a significant US manufacturing presence. Its Navigator is assembled in Louisville, Kentucky, while the Aviator is produced at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant. Both models are also exported to markets including Canada, Mexico and the Middle East.
The company said the latest decision will further expand Lincoln’s domestic production footprint while supporting its broader strategy to strengthen US manufacturing.
