Ford’s CEO revealed he drives a “fantastic” Chinese-made electric vehicle as he praised the company behind it.
When he appeared last week in Robert Llewellyn’s ‘The fully charged podcast‘, Jim Farley revealed that he drives a Xiaomi SU7 delivered from China.
“I don’t really like to talk about the competition, but I drive the Xiaomi,” Farley said.
“We flew one from Shanghai to Chicago, and I’ve been driving it for six months now and I don’t want to give it up.”
“That’s an extraordinary thing to say, isn’t it?” Llewellyn responded with a chuckle.
Robert Llewellyn interviewed Ford CEO Jim Farley on an episode of The Fully Charged Podcast
The Xiaomi SU7 (pictured) was first manufactured in December 2023 by Xiaomi, one of the world’s largest smartphone companies
The car, which retails for around $30,000, debuted in December 2023 as Xiaomi’s first electric car. The company is best known as the second largest smartphone seller in the world. Technology reported.
Xiaomi’s cars are not sold in the US and the 100 percent tariff imposed on Chinese electric vehicles makes it difficult for Americans to buy them.
Farley explained his reason for driving a Xiaomi in a message on X.
“I try to drive everything we compete against. I’ve done it my entire career,” he wrote. ‘Specs can tell part of a story, but you have to get behind the wheel to really understand and beat the competition.’
Critics have not shared Farley’s excitement over his purchase of the state-of-the-art car. called a ‘Temu Tesla’ by one critic.
Jason Isaac, CEO of the American Energy Institute, told us National Review that Farley driving an electric vehicle of international origin amounts to a ‘slap in the face’ for Ford employees.
He called it “deeply disturbing” that Farley does not endorse products produced by his own company.
Farley at the North American International Auto Show press day in Detroit, Michigan (photo)
Others said they appreciated Farley’s honesty and down-to-earth view of the U.S. electric car industry.
‘Jim Farley is probably the ONLY Western CEO [to] “Really understand the current situation AND speak honestly,” one person commented on a video of his podcast interview.
Another added: ‘What a remarkable opportunity to hear from a CEO of a legacy car company being as transparent as possible and highlighting the realities of Chinese car manufacturing and the urgent need for change.’
On X, one user called Farley’s immersive approach “a great way to understand the competition and what customers like.”
The inner construction of the housing of the Xiaomi SU7 (photo). One X user called the car a ‘Temu Tesla’
According to XiaomiThe car is a ‘C-class luxury technology sedan’ with high-tech features.
The dashboard ‘greets’ drivers when they turn on the car and the car has ‘smart driving’ and ‘Boost’ modes.
The sleek design is “not just for beauty, but also for drive,” according to the website. The sedan is offered in several vibrant colors including ‘Meteor Blue’, ‘Radiant Purple’ and ‘Lava Orange’.
Ford produces three all-electric vehicle models: the Mustang Mach-E SUV, the F-150 Lightning and the E-Transit van. The company also offers several hybrid options.
In August, Ford announced it will shift its focus to hybrid vehicles as demand for electric cars declines.
Ford has abruptly canceled plans to produce a three-row electric SUV and postponed construction of a new EV factory in Tennessee.
Data collected by MailOnline shows that global sales of electric vehicles have fallen for three top manufacturers in recent months as the public struggles to fall in love with the technology.
A yellow Xiaomi SU7 (photo). Many people came forward and praised Farley for his honest assessment of the industry and Xiaomi
Despite increasing long-term growth, Tesla saw quarterly sales drop from a peak of 484,500 in the fourth quarter of 2023 to just 386,800 in the first quarter of 2024.
Meanwhile, Chinese automaker BYD – the world’s largest seller of electric vehicles – saw global sales fall earlier this year.
National Review reported that former President Donald Trump previously blacklisted Xiaomi after claiming the company had ties to the Chinese Communist Party’s military.
Xiaomi went to court over the decision and the Biden administration eventually overturned it.