Full Breakdown
Ford to Shift Lincoln Production to the United States, Phasing Out China Imports by 2030
8/13/2026, 11:02:47 AM
Core Announcement
Ford Motor Co. is scheduled to announce on August 12 that it will increase U.S. production of its Lincoln luxury brand beginning in 2030 and will phase out all Lincoln models currently imported from China for the American market. The plan does not specify which U.S. plants will receive the additional output.
Background & Context
Since 2024 Ford has imported the Lincoln Nautilus sport-utility vehicle from the Changan Ford joint venture in Hangzhou, China. The model was introduced to the U.S. market after Ford cited insufficient North-American capacity; the former Ontario plant that assembled the Nautilus was retooled for other models. The decision comes amid heightened U.S. tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles—most notably a 52.5 % duty on the Nautilus—and broader trade uncertainty following the Trump administration’s tariff policy.
Data & Statistics
- Lincoln Nautilus sales in the United States: ? 34,000 units in 2025.
- Ford’s 2025 U.S. production totals: > 2 million vehicles assembled, the highest among U.S. automakers.
- 2025 vehicle mix: ? 829,000 F-Series pickups, ? 223,000 Explorers, ? 146,000 Broncos.
- Export volume: 311,000 units shipped to more than 60 international markets.
- Workforce: 56,300 hourly manufacturing workers in the United States, the largest auto-industry labor force.
- Tariff impact: Ford reported roughly $2 billion in expenses related to 2025 tariffs on imported vehicles and parts.
Official Statements & Responses
He linked the move to a commitment to domestic manufacturing and to mitigating the financial burden of tariffs and regulatory constraints. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, present at the briefing, framed the reshoring as a competitive advantage for Ford, noting that domestic production “gives the company an edge.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Lincoln is a quintessentially American brand, and Ford is America's automaker,” — CEO Jim Farley
- “We made this decision as soon as the policy of the administration was set,” — Jim Farley, CEO
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Ford’s announcement did not clarify whether production of the Lincoln Z sedan, which is also built in China for the Chinese market, will continue there or be relocated. Sources differ on the extent to which the upcoming shift will affect that model, leaving the future of the Z uncertain.
Why It Matters
The reshoring plan aligns Ford with a broader industry trend of reducing reliance on Chinese manufacturing amid steep tariffs and emerging regulatory rules—such as the Connected Vehicle Rule that restricts certain Chinese-origin technology in U.S.-bound vehicles. By moving the Nautilus production home, Ford aims to eliminate the 52.5 % tariff and associated regulatory overhang, potentially improving margins and reinforcing its claim of being the leading American automaker.
What’s Next
Ford has indicated that the expanded Lincoln output will commence in 2030, but it has not disclosed specific investment amounts or the exact U.S. facilities that will host the new production lines. The company’s next steps will likely involve detailed plant planning and coordination with the Commerce Department to ensure compliance with evolving trade and technology regulations.
