On the Dash:
- Ford’s decision could give dealers more visibility into the automaker’s long-term U.S. production and allocation plans for the Nautilus.
- The shift highlights how tariffs and trade policy are increasingly influencing where automakers build and source vehicles.
- Ford’s broader manufacturing changes could affect future product availability and inventory strategies across its U.S. dealer network.
Ford will stop importing the Lincoln Nautilus from China to the United States, and plans to expand production of the Lincoln brand in the U.S. starting in 2030. According to a Reuters report, the automaker has manufactured the Nautilus in Hangzhou, China, since 2024, through its joint venture, Changan Ford.
Previously, the automaker cited limited production capacity in North America as the reason for the import strategy from China, but has since retooled the Ontario plant that once built the Nautilus to produce the Super Duty pickup starting in 2026. This marks the first time Nautilus production will move to the U.S., representing another shift in Ford’s North American production strategy.
While the Nautilus remains a relatively small part of Ford’s U.S. sales volume, the company sold nearly 34,000 Nautilus SUVs in 2025. Conversely, the automaker sold nearly 829,000 F-Series pickups, almost 223,000 Explorers, and over 146,000 Broncos during the same period.
The decision comes amid pressure from the Trump administration on automakers to increase production in the U.S. Higher tariffs on imported vehicles and parts have raised the costs associated with maintaining overseas production and imports. By moving Nautilus production to the U.S., Ford could mitigate its exposure to tariffs on vehicles built in China.
This shift also reflects a broader trend among automakers reevaluating where they build vehicles and how they bring them to the U.S. market.
What this means for dealers
Dealers will still have access to the Nautilus, but the sourcing strategy will change starting in 2030. This production shift may impact future vehicle allocations and inventory planning, as Ford’s decision serves as further evidence that tariff policies are influencing long-term product and manufacturing decisions. Dealers should stay alert for additional changes to the automaker’s North American production plans as the automaker prepares for 2030.
