Ford Plans to Shift Some Lincoln Production From China to the U.S. by 2030

Ford Motor is preparing to move production of some Lincoln vehicles from China to the United States beginning in 2030, marking a significant change in the automaker’s manufacturing strategy as tariffs and technology restrictions reshape the U.S. auto market.

The decision was confirmed by Ford CEO Jim Farley in an interview with Reuters. The company has not yet revealed which U.S. factories will handle the additional production, but the vehicles manufactured domestically are expected to be sold in the American market.

Tariffs Become a Major Factor

One of the biggest reasons behind Ford’s decision is the high cost associated with importing vehicles from China. The Lincoln Nautilus, currently Ford’s primary vehicle imported from China, faces a U.S. tariff of 52.5%, according to Ford. Such duties can significantly increase the cost of bringing China-built vehicles into the American market.

Farley said the company’s decision followed the administration’s tariff policies and reflected Ford’s assessment of what those measures would mean for its operations. While the shift represents a substantial manufacturing change, Ford sees domestic production as a more sustainable approach for vehicles intended for U.S. customers.

The move also comes as American automakers face growing pressure to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce exposure to trade-related risks.

Technology Rules Add to the Pressure

Tariffs are not the only issue influencing Ford’s plans. The company is also dealing with U.S. restrictions covering connected-vehicle technology.

The Connected Vehicle Rule limits the use of certain Chinese-developed technology and hardware in vehicles sold in the United States. Ford had previously sought authorization from the U.S. Commerce Department concerning the continued sale of vehicles potentially affected by the regulations.

The Lincoln Nautilus had been part of that regulatory challenge. Ford had explained that its software was developed in the United States but installed into the vehicle in China. After discussions with the Commerce Department, Ford said the Nautilus no longer required authorization to continue being sold in the country.

Even though the regulatory issue surrounding the Nautilus has changed, the broader technology restrictions remain an important consideration for automakers with manufacturing and supply chains linked to China.

Lincoln Already Has a U.S. Manufacturing Base

Ford’s plans do not mean Lincoln is starting from scratch in the United States. The luxury brand already produces several vehicles domestically.

The Lincoln Navigator is assembled at Ford’s Louisville, Kentucky, facility, while the Lincoln Aviator is produced at the Chicago Assembly Plant. Both models are also exported to international markets, including Canada, Mexico and the Middle East.

The upcoming production shift could therefore build on an existing U.S. manufacturing network rather than requiring Ford to establish an entirely new production system for the Lincoln brand.

However, Ford has not yet disclosed where the additional Lincoln models will be manufactured. Details about specific plants, investment levels and production volumes are expected to become clearer as the 2030 transition approaches.

GM Makes a Similar Move

Ford is not the only major American automaker responding to the changing trade environment.

General Motors has announced plans to transfer production of its Buick Envision from China to the United States starting in 2028. That decision, like Ford’s Lincoln strategy, reflects the increasing importance of domestic production for vehicles intended for American consumers.

The developments suggest that tariffs and supply-chain considerations could influence where global automakers choose to manufacture vehicles in the coming years.

What It Means for Lincoln

The production shift could give Lincoln greater control over the supply chain for vehicles sold in the United States while reducing the company’s direct exposure to tariffs on China-built models.

The Nautilus is particularly relevant because Ford sold roughly 34,000 units of the model in the U.S. last year. Its current China-based production has made the vehicle especially exposed to trade and regulatory changes.

Moving some Lincoln production to the United States could also strengthen the brand’s domestic manufacturing footprint at a time when policymakers are encouraging automakers to increase local production.

At the same time, the transition is still several years away. Ford has yet to identify the exact models that will move or the U.S. facilities that will produce them. The company will therefore have to work through production planning, investment requirements and supply-chain changes before the 2030 target arrives.

For Ford, the decision represents more than a manufacturing adjustment. It highlights how tariffs, technology regulations and government policy are increasingly influencing the structure of the global automobile industry. As automakers reconsider where vehicles are built, the United States is emerging as a more important production base for models aimed at American buyers.