Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley highlighted direct access to the White House during a recent industry forum, underscoring the administration’s responsiveness on critical automotive policy matters. The remarks come as the company navigates federal incentives, supply chain reforms, and electric vehicle manufacturing expansions.
- Ford CEO Jim Farley cited 72-hour response time from White House after semiconductor supply crisis in November 2025
- Ford achieved 40% reduction in production delays for F-150 Lightning post-intervention
- Federal grants totaling $2.3 billion used to support EV battery production and job creation
- Ford plans to launch 11 EV models by 2027, up from 7 in prior projections
- 47,000 new manufacturing jobs projected, with 68% in historically underserved regions
- White House engagement is seen as a competitive advantage amid tightening global EV regulations
Ford CEO Jim Farley stated in a public address on January 15, 2026, that the White House consistently responds to outreach from automakers, emphasizing the importance of executive-level dialogue during periods of national economic transformation. His comments followed a series of high-level meetings on federal infrastructure grants and clean energy manufacturing, where Ford officials discussed plans to expand EV battery production at three existing plants in Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. Farley cited a specific instance in November 2025 when Ford requested emergency support for a semiconductor supply disruption affecting its F-150 Lightning production line. Within 72 hours, a White House liaison facilitated coordination between the Department of Commerce and the Department of Defense to secure priority chip allocations. The company reported a 40% reduction in production delays after the intervention, enabling Ford to meet Q4 2025 delivery targets for over 185,000 electric vehicles. The administration’s proactive engagement has influenced broader industry confidence. According to internal Ford projections, the number of production-ready EV models set to launch by 2027 has increased from 7 to 11, supported by federal grants totaling $2.3 billion allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These funds are tied to commitments to create 47,000 new manufacturing jobs, with 68% located in previously underserved regions. Automotive sector stakeholders are closely monitoring the consistency of this engagement, particularly as new regulations on battery sourcing and labor standards take effect in 2026. Ford’s experience signals that timely policy coordination may be a key differentiator in global competitiveness, especially amid rising pressure from European and Asian automakers to meet climate and supply chain transparency benchmarks.