During an interview with CNBC, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley expressed his outlook on the recent EV charging partnership between Ford and Tesla.
“When it comes to gaining an advantage over my customers, I have no problem being opportunistic,” Farley remarked. “It’s good for customers, so our team didn’t really hesitate,” he continued despite Ford’s sizable charging infrastructure prior to the Tesla partnership.
However, Farley also hinted that he would like to keep some distance between his company and Tesla moving forward.
Moreover, when questioned about the Tesla Cybertruck’s impending release in 2024, he seemed underwhelmed. He dismissed the concept, saying: “America likes an underdog, and since we are the market leader for electric trucks and vans, we are uniquely positioned to understand these consumers. And it’s okay if Musk develops a Cybertruck for Silicon Valley residents. It resembles a stylish, high-end item parked in front of a hotel. But I don’t produce trucks in that manner. I build trucks for real people who carry out actual labor, and those trucks are distinctive.”
The release of Tesla’s Cybertruck is expected to compete against Ford’s best-selling F-150.
Farley also commented on the OEM’s relationship with the United Auto Workers. He noted that despite possibly having to engage in complex negotiations with the organization, Ford is committed to maintaining most of its production in North America.
“We’ll see what happens, but the truth is that our company has always been based in America,” Farley added. “We believe consumers will pay for American technology, whether produced by BlueOval City in Tennessee or Kentucky-built pickup trucks or EV pickup trucks.”
