Ford Motor

Ford is under heightened scrutiny after conflicting messages from the U.S. administration and Republican lawmakers over its ties to Chinese companies. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called Ford's China connections "troubling" while the White House and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick publicly praised some of Ford's moves. The dispute centers on Ford's partnerships with firms like CATL and Geely and CEO Jim Farley's stance that the company needs Chinese technology to stay globally competitive. Mixed signals from the administration are complicating planning for U.S. automakers facing Chinese competition. » Más en finance.yahoo.com

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, in a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley, voiced serious national security concerns about Ford’s cooperation with battery maker CATL and the companies Geely and BYD. He specifically objected to the reliance on licensed CATL technology at the Marshall plant and to the joint venture with Geely in Spain to produce a crossover-hybrid model from 2028. Duffy also criticized the postponement of moving Lincoln Nautilus production to the U.S. until 2030 and warned against greater integration of subsidized foreign technology into Ford’s supply chains. Ford did not immediately comment; the stock fell about 1% in premarket trading. » Más en manager-magazin.de

The U.S. Department of Transportation sent a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley expressing "profound concern" about Ford's strategic relationships with Chinese companies, notably battery supplier CATL. The letter cites risks to American automotive manufacturing integrity, supply-chain exposure and reliance on technologies of foreign adversaries tied to Ford's licensing of CATL's lithium iron phosphate battery technology and its planned use in energy storage. Ford did not immediately comment. » Más en cnbc.com