Ford is preparing to move production of some Lincoln models from China to the United States starting in 2030, as tariffs and tighter rules around Chinese technology continue to reshape the way automakers operate in the American market.
The biggest pressure point is the Lincoln Nautilus. The SUV is currently Ford’s main vehicle imported from China into the US, where it is hit with a 52.5% tariff. Ford sold around 34,000 Nautilus models in the country last year, so the added cost is difficult to ignore.
Tariffs Are Driving The Decision
Ford CEO Jim Farley said the company made its decision once the direction of US trade policy became clear. He explained that Ford quickly understood what the new tariffs would mean for its business and began adjusting its plans accordingly.
The Lincolns built in the US under the new strategy will mainly be aimed at American buyers. Ford has not yet said which plant will take on the additional production, but the move will form part of a broader push to increase domestic manufacturing.
The decision also comes as American automakers face new restrictions under the Connected Vehicle Rule, which limits the use of certain Chinese technology and hardware in vehicles sold in the United States. Farley said these regulations played a role in Ford’s thinking, although tariffs were the main reason behind the production shift.
Ford had previously been seeking approval from the US Commerce Department to keep selling vehicles that might fall under those restrictions. After discussions with the department, however, the automaker concluded that the Lincoln Nautilus no longer needed special authorization to remain on sale.
The issue was linked to the Nautilus software, which Ford said was developed in the United States but installed in China during production. That setup had initially raised concerns over whether the vehicle would need government approval under the new rules.
Ford Is Not Alone In Moving Production
Ford is not alone in rethinking its Chinese production. General Motors has already announced plans to move production of the Buick Envision from China to the United States beginning in 2028, highlighting how tariffs and new regulations are pushing manufacturers to reconsider where they build vehicles for American customers.
More restrictions could also be coming. US lawmakers are considering measures that would stop companies with more than 15% Chinese ownership from selling vehicles in the country, potentially affecting a much wider group of automakers.
For Lincoln, the shift will build on an existing American manufacturing base. The Navigator is already produced in Louisville, Kentucky, while the Aviator comes from Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant. Both SUVs are also exported to several international markets, including Canada, Mexico and the Middle East.
