Prime Highlights
- Ford will move production of some Lincoln models from China to the US from 2030.
- The decision responds mainly to US tariffs and tighter restrictions on Chinese automotive technology.
Key Facts
- The Lincoln Nautilus faces a 52.5% US tariff when imported from China.
- Ford sold around 34,000 Nautilus vehicles in the US last year.
Background
Ford plans to move production of some Lincoln models from China to the US from 2030, as the automaker responds to higher tariffs and tighter rules on Chinese technology. The company said the move will help strengthen its US manufacturing base and increase domestic production.
Ford CEO Jim Farley said the decision followed the US administration’s tariff policies. The Lincoln Nautilus, Ford’s main vehicle imported from China, currently faces a 52.5% US tariff.
The company plans to sell the US-made Lincoln models in the domestic market. Ford has not yet disclosed which US plants will produce them.
The move also reflects new restrictions under the US Connected Vehicle Rule, which limits the use of certain Chinese technology and hardware in vehicles sold in the country. Farley said tariffs remain the main reason behind Ford’s production decision.
Ford sold about 34,000 Nautilus vehicles in the US last year. The company had earlier sought government approval to continue selling the model because its software is developed in the US but installed in China. Ford now says the vehicle no longer requires that authorization.
The move follows a similar decision by General Motors, which plans to shift production of its Buick Envision from China to the US from 2028.
Ford already has a US production base for Lincoln. The Navigator is assembled in Louisville, Kentucky, while the Aviator is built at the Chicago Assembly Plant. Both models are also exported to markets including Canada, Mexico and the Middle East.
