Is Ford moving production to China?
No — Ford is not relocating its entire global production to China. The company continues to manufacture in China through local joint ventures while maintaining a broad, multi-region manufacturing footprint that includes North America, Europe, and other markets. China remains a major growth and localization hub for Ford, especially for vehicles tailored to Chinese customers and for its electric-vehicle program in the region.
To understand this topic, it helps to review Ford’s China-based manufacturing structure, how the company balances global production across regions, and its evolving strategy for electrified vehicles in China and beyond. The following sections lay out the current setup and what it means for Ford’s global operations.
Current stance: Ford's Chinese manufacturing footprint
Ford operates in China through two primary local joint ventures. These arrangements shape what is produced in China and how it aligns with local demand and regulations.
- CFMA — Changan Ford Automobile Co., Ltd., a joint venture with Changan Automobile to manufacture Ford vehicles for the Chinese market.
- JFAC — Jiangling Ford Automobile Co., Ltd., a joint venture with Jiangling Motors Corporation to produce additional Ford models for China and support local manufacturing activities.
Through these joint ventures, Ford localizes product development and production in China, aligning with regulatory requirements and consumer preferences, while maintaining separate manufacturing ecosystems in other regions.
Products and localization in China
China-specific manufacturing aims to deliver models and variants tailored to local tastes, regulatory standards, and the rapidly expanding electric-vehicle segment. The Chinese operations focus on local-market demand, including the development of new-energy vehicles and related infrastructure integration.
- Localized EVs and hybrids: Ford’s China-based production includes electric and electrified models designed for Chinese buyers, customized for local incentives and charging ecosystems.
- Capacity and model lineup growth: The joint ventures have pursued capacity enhancements and expansion of their model portfolios to meet rising demand in China.
- R&D and supply-chain integration: China serves as a critical hub for regional development, enabling faster iteration and tighter supplier alignment for Chinese-market vehicles.
China remains a core market for Ford’s long-term growth strategy, with a focus on localization rather than a wholesale relocation of production from other regions.
Global production strategy and the EV push
Ford’s broader strategy involves maintaining a balanced global manufacturing footprint while accelerating electrification. China is a key pillar for local EV development, but it is not a substitute for Ford’s plants in other regions.
- Global footprint across regions: Ford continues to manufacture in North America, Europe, and other markets, preserving regional production capabilities alongside its Chinese operations.
- Electric-vehicle push: The company is organizing around its EV initiatives, with China playing a central role in local development, supply chains, and product localization for electrified models.
- Regional production considerations: Decisions about shifting production between regions depend on demand, cost structures, trade considerations, and supply-chain reliability rather than a blanket move to China.
Overall, Ford’s production strategy emphasizes regional specialization and localization, with China serving as a major manufacturing and product-development hub for the Chinese market and nearby regions rather than a wholesale relocation site for all global production.
What this means for consumers and the market
For Chinese consumers, Ford offers locally produced vehicles with market-specific variants and a growing emphasis on electrified models. For international markets, Ford maintains a diversified production network designed to respond to regional demand and regulatory environments.
Summary
Ford is not moving its entire global production to China. The company continues to operate extensive manufacturing in China through two joint ventures (CFMA and JFAC) while sustaining a broad global production footprint that includes plants in North America, Europe, and other regions. China remains a strategic focus for localization and EV development, but it is part of a multi-region manufacturing strategy rather than a wholesale relocation of production. For the latest specifics, refer to Ford’s official disclosures and trusted business coverage.
Where is Ford moving to?
Ford is not moving its headquarters out of Dearborn, Michigan. Instead, it is relocating its headquarters a short distance within the city to a new building, which is part of a larger campus called the Henry Ford II World Center. This new headquarters replaces the "Glass House" and is designed to foster collaboration by uniting administrative functions with product development teams in a single location.
- New Location: The new headquarters is located on the site of the former Product Development Center in Dearborn, Michigan.
- Proximity: The new building is about three miles (4.8 kilometers) away from the old headquarters.
- Address: The new headquarters will be located at One American Road.
- Purpose: The move aims to promote innovation and collaboration by bringing administrative and product development teams together in the same building for the first time in decades.
- Campus: The new headquarters is part of a larger campus that will house thousands of employees and feature collaborative spaces, design studios, and tech-enabled courtyards.
Are Ford cars manufactured in China?
Operations. Ford has had manufacturing operations worldwide, including in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and South Africa.
How much of Ford does China own?
Changan Ford
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Key people | He Xiaoqing (President and CEO) Yang Dayong (Executive Vice President) |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Owner | Changan Automobile (50%) Ford Motor Company (50%) |
| Number of employees | 10,000+ |
Does the CEO of Ford drive a Chinese car?
Yes, Ford CEO Jim Farley has stated that he has been driving a Chinese-made Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle for several months, which he had flown from China to Chicago. He described the car as "fantastic" and said he "doesn't want to give it up".
- Farley explained that he drives competitor vehicles to better understand the market and that this is a practice he has followed throughout his career.
- He has publicly praised the Xiaomi EV, calling it a "humbling" experience and a valuable lesson in understanding the advancements of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers.
- Despite this, Ford has stated that Farley's daily personal vehicle remains the company's F-150 Lightning.
