Where does Ford get its parts from?
Ford gets its parts from a broad, global network of suppliers across multiple regions, with a strategy to diversify and near-shore where possible.
To understand the full picture, we examine Ford's regional sourcing footprint, the categories of components it procures, and how the automaker manages supplier relationships, risk, and quality in a rapidly changing automotive landscape.
A Global, Diversified Supplier Network
Ford's supply chain rests on hundreds of Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers operating around the world. While the company buys many components locally for regional assembly, critical items such as battery cells, semiconductors, and certain electronics are sourced through global networks designed to ensure continuity and scale.
Regional footprint: Ford's sourcing is organized around three major hubs, with a network of suppliers that deliver parts to assembly plants worldwide. The company prioritizes regional content where feasible to meet market needs and regulatory requirements, while maintaining global capacity for high-demand components.
- North America (United States, Mexico, Canada): A large portion of parts used in North American-assembled vehicles, including many body, interior, and mechanical components, sourced locally where possible to support USMCA content rules and shorter supply lines.
- Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Turkey, and surrounding markets): Components for European models, including powertrains, chassis, electronics, and region-specific regulatory-compliant parts.
- Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia): Electronics, semiconductors, batteries, and EV-specific components sourced closer to growth markets and for regional production.
- Global multi-region suppliers: Some components and modules are manufactured across multiple continents to provide scale and resilience for global platforms and programs.
Before this regional snapshot, here is a look at how sourcing breaks down by region.
These regional patterns help Ford manage lead times, regulatory compliance, currency exposure, and supply continuity, especially as the company accelerates electrification and software-enabled features across its model lineup.
In practice, Ford uses a mix of locally sourced parts for assembly regions and globally sourced components for items requiring scale or specialized capabilities, supported by a broad network of long-term supplier partnerships and performance-driven contracts.
Core Categories of Sourced Parts
The following categories describe the main sources of components Ford procures across its vehicle platforms. Each category typically involves multiple Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, with some items produced through joint ventures or strategic partnerships to secure capability and capacity.
- Raw materials and commodities (steel, aluminum, plastics, glass, rubber): Sourced globally, with emphasis on regions that meet cost, quality, and supply-demand requirements.
- Powertrains and drivetrains (engines, transmissions, hybrid/electric propulsion systems): Often sourced from specialized suppliers and integrated into regional programs.
- Electronics and software (ECUs, infotainment, driver-assistance systems): Supplied by global electronics and software partners, with localization for regional requirements and regulations.
- Battery cells and energy storage (for EVs and hybrids): Secured through partnerships and multi-region supply arrangements to support North American and international EV programs.
- Interiors and seating (trim, dashboards, upholstery, consoles): A mix of regional and global suppliers to match model specs and consumer preferences.
- Tires and wheels: Provided by tire manufacturers with regional production and logistics arrangements to align with vehicle platforms.
- Chassis, suspension, braking, and safety systems (brakes, steering, airbags): Sourced from specialized suppliers with qualification programs to ensure performance and safety standards.
- Manufacturing equipment and logistics services (assembly-line parts, packaging, and supply-chain services): Procured to support Ford’s own production operations and distribution network.
Before listing categories, note that Ford's procurement spans both raw materials and finished modules critical to vehicle performance and safety.
Ford's supplier strategy emphasizes dual or multi-sourcing, long-term contracts, and ongoing supplier development to improve quality and resilience. The company also pursues regional supplier programs to localize parts for key markets and to meet regional content and regulatory requirements.
Battery and EV Supply Strategy
As Ford accelerates its electrified lineup, securing reliable battery-cell capacity and related components has become a central focus. The company pursues partnerships and joint ventures with battery manufacturers to establish North American production and secure a stable supply of cells and modules for its electric vehicles, alongside broader global arrangements to support its global EV platform roadmap.
Battery strategy is paired with ongoing collaborations to develop scalable, localized ecosystems for EV components, including cells, modules, and related electronics, aimed at reducing lead times, cutting costs, and ensuring supply security for current and upcoming models.
Supplier Relationships and Risk Management
Ford maintains a centralized procurement organization that sets standards, negotiates contracts, and oversees supplier quality and compliance. The company invests in supplier development programs, performance-based agreements, and risk-management practices designed to withstand shocks—from natural disasters to geopolitical tensions and industry-wide chip shortages.
In a dynamic market, Ford’s approach includes diversification, regional localization where feasible, near-term and long-term planning for critical components, and collaboration with suppliers to co-develop technologies that align with Ford’s electrification and software goals.
Summary
Ford sources parts through a broad, globally distributed supplier network spanning North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, with a clear emphasis on diversification and regional localization to bolster resilience. Core categories range from raw materials to electronics, batteries, and safety systems, often managed through multi-sourced relationships and strategic partnerships. As Ford expands its electrified lineup, battery-cell partnerships and regional ecosystems become increasingly central to its procurement strategy, while ongoing supplier development and risk management aim to keep quality high and disruption low.
