Ford's future is uncertain if it fails to match the electric vehicle (EV) prowess demonstrated by China, according to remarks made by Jim Farley during a Colorado gathering.
In the rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) landscape, China stands out as a global leader in EV adoption. Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs)—which include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and fuel cell vehicles—are making significant inroads into the global car market.
China's NEV market share has been steadily increasing. In July 2025, NEVs account for 48.7% of the market, up from 43.8% in July 2024. China is the largest single market for electric vehicles worldwide, accounting for over half of global BEV demand.
Key players in China's EV market include BYD, Geely, Changan, and Tesla. BYD, in particular, tops the market with a 27.8% share in July 2025 and a 29.2% share in sales from January to July 2025. Chinese EV manufacturers, especially BYD, are expanding aggressively, with rising sales also observed in European markets.
Ford, under the leadership of CEO Jim Farley, is navigating this highly competitive EV landscape. Recognising the dominance of Chinese brands, particularly BYD and Tesla, in China's NEV sector, Farley has been championing an accelerated electrification roadmap.
This roadmap includes increased investment in EV platforms and battery technology, collaborations and local partnerships in China, expanding Ford's electric lineup globally while tailoring offerings to local needs, and emphasising efficiency and scale to compete with Chinese manufacturers’ cost structure and product range.
While Ford’s exact market share in China’s EV market remains modest compared to local giants, Farley is pursuing a multi-pronged approach combining American engineering strengths with strategic alliances and regional adaptability. This approach aims to sustain Ford’s competitiveness worldwide as EV adoption fundamentally reshapes the automotive industry, with China at the forefront of this transformation.
Jim Farley has expressed concern about the global competition with China's EV industry, stating that if Ford cannot compete with China's EVs, the company has no future. However, under Farley's leadership, Ford has boosted its presence in the EV sector, with the release of the Ford F-150 Lightning in May 2022 and the announcement of the 2025 Mustang GTD. These new models, complemented by the legendary F-150 truck, demonstrate Ford's commitment towards electrification, referred to as the "Model T moment".
References:
- Sales Data of China Passenger Car Market in July 2025
- China's NEV Sales by Brand in Early 2025
- China Leads the World in Electric Vehicle Adoption
- Ford's Strategy to Compete in China's EV Market
- Ford's Electrification Roadmap under Jim Farley
- The Ford F-150 Lightning, released in May 2022, and the announcement of the 2025 Mustang GTD are part of Ford's efforts to boost its presence in the electric vehicle (EV) sector and compete with Chinese EV leaders like BYD and Tesla.
- With AI-driven technology and advancements in financing options, the EV landscape is witnessing rapid transformation, not just in the car market but also in sectors like sports, where electric cars could one day grace race tracks.
- As China continues to dominate the global EV market, American automakers like Ford are leveraging technology, strategic partnerships, and regional adaptability to challenge the front-runners in the industry, primarily Chinese manufacturers, thereby reshaping the future of the automotive industry.
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