Ford to Shift Lincoln Production to U.S., Phase Out China Imports by 2030

Ford Motor Co. has announced plans to phase out imports of its Lincoln brand vehicles from China to the U.S. by 2030, shifting production to domestic plants. The decision comes as the automaker seeks to strengthen its U.S. manufacturing footprint and avoid high tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles, which currently stand at 52.5%. The Lincoln Nautilus SUV, currently assembled in China by Changan Ford, will be among the models affected by this transition. ## Domestic Manufacturing Push The move is part of Ford’s broader strategy to increase domestic vehicle production. The company expects the shift to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the U.S. Ford CEO Jim Farley emphasized the brand’s American roots, stating that Lincoln is a "quintessentially American brand" and that Ford is committed to manufacturing in the U.S. despite challenges faced by competitors. Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville currently produces the Lincoln Navigator, while the Aviator is assembled at the Chicago Assembly Plant. These models are exported to global markets, including Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East. Ford reported assembling over 2 million vehicles in the U.S. last year, more than any other automaker. ## Security and Tariff Concerns Another factor in Ford’s decision is the upcoming Connected Vehicles Rule, set to take effect in January 2025. The rule restricts imports of vehicles with connected technology linked to China, citing potential security risks. The Department of Commerce has raised concerns about external connectivity, including Bluetooth, cellular, or satellite technology, in autonomous driving platforms. Earlier this year, electric vehicle maker Polestar announced it would exit the U.S. market due to similar restrictions on connected vehicle technology. The company was denied authorization to sell vehicles from model year 2027 onward. ## Competitor Moves in China Ford’s announcement contrasts with General Motors’ recent decision to extend its joint venture with SAIC Motor in China until 2047. The partnership will focus on expanding the Buick and Cadillac brands in China, with plans to launch at least 30 new energy vehicles by 2030. GM also confirmed it will shift production of the Buick Envision SUV from China to its Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, starting in 2028. The move follows tariff-related price increases for the Envision, which now costs around $5,000 more than the previous model. In a separate development, Ford announced a joint venture with Geely Auto to produce vehicles at its Valencia, Spain, plant for the European market. The collaboration will include a new Ford Bronco model and a multi-energy crossover, along with two Geely-branded electric SUVs, with production beginning in 2028.