Ford is officially following through on previously reported plans to move production of certain Lincoln models from China to the U.S.
The details: The shift, which includes production of the Lincoln Nautilus, is scheduled to begin in 2030 as Ford looks to expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint amid steep duties on both gas-powered vehicles and EVs, according to Reuters.
The midsize Nautilus SUV, which sold 34,000 units in the U.S. last year, is currently subject to a 52.5% tariff, per the automaker.
The production shift means Ford will no longer need to seek authorization from the U.S. Commerce Department to continue selling the vehicle.
What they’re saying: “We made this decision as soon as the policy of the administration was set," Ford CEO Jim Farley said, referring to the tariffs, per Reuters. "We knew exactly what they wanted to do, and we knew exactly what it meant for Ford," Farley said in a joint interview with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Why it matters: Moving Nautilus production to the U.S. will help Ford reduce its exposure to steep tariffs and regulatory uncertainty, potentially providing Lincoln dealers with greater long-term stability around pricing and availability of one of the brand's key models.
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Between the lines: Moving Nautilus production out of China could also help Ford avoid some of the regulatory pressure facing other automakers as efforts to restrict Chinese vehicles and automotive ties in the U.S. intensify.
Polestar has been barred from selling vehicles in the U.S. beyond the 2026 model year due to its majority Chinese ownership, while Volvo has been cleared by the U.S. to continue selling vehicles in the market.
A bipartisan Senate bill, set for consideration by the full Senate, could bar Mercedes-Benz from selling vehicles in the U.S. because of its ownership ties to Chinese entities.
Bottom line: Ford's decision underscores how tariffs and restrictions surrounding China are reshaping automakers' manufacturing strategies, with shifting production to the U.S. potentially giving dealers greater certainty around vehicle supply, pricing, and long-term product availability.
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