Ford CEO Discusses Chinese Automakers Manufacturing in the U.S.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 4 days ago
0mins
Ford (F) CEO Jim Farley spoke with senior White House officials about a potential roadmap for Chinese car makers to manufacture vehicles in the U.S. by partnering with American car companies, Bloomberg's David Welch, Keith Naughton, and Jenny Leonard report, citing people familiar with the discussions. The rough framework that was talked about between Farley and Trump administration cabinet members last month would let Chinese automakers build vehicles in the U.S. through joint ventures with domestic automakers in which the U.S. firm holds a controlling interest, the authors say. Other publicly traded companies in the space include BYD (BYDDY), Geely (GELYF), General Motors (GM), Honda (HMC), Lucid Group (LCID), Mercedes-Benz (MBGYY), Nissan (NSANY), Rivian (RIVN), Stellantis (STLA), Tesla (TSLA), Toyota (TM) and Volkswagen (VWAGY).
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Analyst Views on F
Wall Street analysts forecast F stock price to fall
14 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
10 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 14.130
Low
11.00
Averages
13.65
High
16.00
Current: 14.130
Low
11.00
Averages
13.65
High
16.00
About F
Ford Motor Company is an automobile company. The Company develops and delivers Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars, and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The Company’s segments include Ford Blue, Ford Model e, Ford Pro, and Ford Credit. The Ford Blue segment primarily includes the sale of Ford and Lincoln internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicles, service parts, accessories, and digital services for retail customers. The Ford Model e segment primarily includes the sale of its electric vehicles, service parts, accessories, and digital services for retail customers. The Ford Pro segment primarily includes the sale of Ford and Lincoln vehicles, service parts, accessories, and services for commercial, government, and rental customers. The Ford Credit segment consists of the Ford Credit business on a consolidated basis, which is primarily vehicle-related financing and leasing activities. Its vehicle brands are Ford and Lincoln.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Manufacturing Efficiency Gains: The new platform reduces total parts by 20% and cuts 40% of process workstations on the factory floor, allowing Ford to lower production costs through streamlined manufacturing processes, thereby enhancing overall profitability.
- Battery Cost Control: Ford opts for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are cheaper and safer, as batteries account for over 40% of an EV's total cost; reducing battery costs is crucial for Ford to achieve profitability in its electric vehicle lineup.
- Market Risks and Opportunities: Although EV penetration in the U.S. is only 6%-8%, Ford remains optimistic about the midsize electric pickup's market potential, believing it meets consumer demand for affordability and utility, potentially filling a market gap and driving sales growth.
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- Battery Production Strategy: The upcoming electric pickup truck will feature LFP batteries produced at Michigan's Blue Oval Battery Park, showcasing Ford's commitment to in-house battery technology and enhancing the market appeal of its electric vehicle offerings.
- Partnership with BYD: Ford is reportedly exploring partnerships with BYD to procure batteries for its hybrid models, indicating a strategic pivot away from all-electric mobility, especially after scrapping the production of the F-150 Lightning EV pickup, highlighting a focus on diversified power solutions.
- Market Performance Insights: Benzinga Edge rankings indicate that Ford scores well on momentum, value, and quality metrics, with favorable price trends observed in the short, medium, and long term, reflecting market confidence in its future growth prospects.
See More
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- Technology Upgrade: Waymo recently launched its sixth-generation Waymo Driver technology, featuring a 17-megapixel imaging system that claims to be a generation ahead of other automotive cameras in dynamic range, low-light sensitivity, and resolution, enhancing safety and accuracy in autonomous driving.
- LiDAR Advantage: Utilizing LiDAR technology, Waymo's per-vehicle costs are estimated to be two to three times higher than Tesla's, yet its superior precision and safety in rapidly changing road conditions may position it as the dominant solution for passenger vehicles.
- Market Competition: Success in the robotaxi market for Waymo hinges not only on the number of vehicles deployed but also on the choice of autonomous driving technology, with LiDAR potentially providing a sustainable competitive edge that distinguishes Waymo from its competitors.
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See More
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See More
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- Battery Technology Innovation: The new platform will utilize cheaper and more durable lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which, while offering slightly reduced range, are expected to lower battery weight through lighter vehicle bodies and improved aerodynamics, enhancing overall efficiency.
- First Product Positioning: Ford plans to launch a mid-sized electric pickup as the first product from this new platform, with an expected price point around $30,000, targeting price-sensitive consumers and competing with other electric vehicle models in the market.
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See More
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- Critical Price Point: Multiple automakers have confirmed that the $35,000 to $50,000 price range is essential for mass-market EV adoption, with Rivian and Ford specifically targeting this segment in their strategic plans.
- Lack of Options: Despite years of EV development, industry executives acknowledge a surprising lack of compelling choices at accessible price points, making the options significantly fewer compared to internal combustion engine vehicles.
- Demand Fluctuations: While near-term consumer demand has softened, particularly following policy changes like the elimination of tax credits, automakers remain confident in the long-term potential for EV adoption, believing the market still holds promise.
- Cost Reduction Focus: All companies emphasize ongoing efforts to reduce battery costs, manufacturing expenses, and overall vehicle costs to achieve profitability at lower price points, ensuring competitiveness in the future market.
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