Ford CEO Jim Farley states that U.S. plants are becoming more competitive with those in China and Mexico: TDS
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Welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short, our morning news summary from The Drive, highlighting the top automotive news from around the globe.
Each entry in The Downshift features a link for more in-depth coverage. Here’s your update for Friday, July 17, 2026.
🧑🏭 Ford's CEO Jim Farley recently discussed the company's improvements in initial quality during an interview, providing valuable insights into the differing manufacturing cultures across its facilities in Mexico, China, the U.S., and beyond. “There are cultural differences in various countries and even within Ford’s manufacturing culture that show different commitments to processes, and problem-solving is an acquired skill,” Farley noted. “I would say the U.S. plants have advanced the quickest. The most consistent ones have been some of our international plants that I referenced.” [The Detroit News via Ford Authority]
📲 The Rivian R2, still a new entry, has received its first software update, which includes features such as Launch Mode, Pet Comfort, and Gear Guard, akin to Rivian's take on Tesla’s Sentry Mode. [Autoblog]
🌏 Volvo's CEO Hakan Samuelsson recently addressed remarks from White House senior trade advisor Peter Navarro, who accused Chinese automakers of “plundering global car markets” and labeled BYD as emblematic of China’s predatory business approach: copy, absorb, subsidize, scale, dump, and dominate. Samuelsson remarked that “we are navigating a new competitive landscape, and we must acknowledge those who have succeeded in electric vehicles,” highlighting that Chinese manufacturers “have implemented many effective strategies.” [Automotive News]
📉 On the same note, Volvo's sales in China dropped by 35% in the second quarter, although the company anticipates a rebound in profits during the latter half of 2026. [Reuters]
🪫 Honda has officially announced that its electric Prologue SUV will not see another model year, a development we anticipated back in March when reports surfaced about the company halting all EV investments and ending its partnership with General Motors. [Automotive News]
🍁 A new report detailing Stellantis’ challenges in Canada reveals that dealerships are eager for new products. The automaker had a 15.4% market share in Canada back in 2015, which decreased to 6% a decade later. [Automotive News]
🫸 Foxconn had intended to market its Model C EV in the U.S. through an American brand, but the Taiwanese tech and auto manufacturer is now indicating that the deal is on hold as the unidentified distributor assesses the impact of tariffs. [Automotive News]
🐎 It seems Ferrari initially planned to equip the 849 Testarossa with pop-up headlights but had to settle for fixed units after realizing that regulations in China and the U.S. would not permit such a design element. [CarExpert]
⚡ Geely has launched a new electric motor named “Thunder,” which is exceptionally efficient, compact, and lightweight, resulting in a significant reduction in wiring and components while delivering 328 horsepower in a small size. [InsideEVs]
🏁 Upcoming weekend races to catch (all times Eastern):
WRC Rally Estonia: All weekend on Rally.TV
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway: Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on FS1
Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix: Sunday at 9 a.m. on Apple TV
IndyCar at Nashville: Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on Fox
NASCAR Cup Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway: Sunday at 7 p.m. on TNT
NHRA Drag Racing Sonoma Nationals Finals: Sunday at 10 p.m. on FS1
Have a tip or feedback for TDS? Reach us at tips@thedrive.com
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Ford CEO Jim Farley states that U.S. plants are closing the gap with those in China and Mexico: TDS
The CEO of Ford remarked that the facilities in China and Mexico are "the most compliant with their processes," whereas the plants in the U.S. "have made the quickest progress."
Ford CEO Jim Farley states that U.S. plants are becoming more competitive with those in China and Mexico: TDS
The CEO of Ford stated that the facilities in China and Mexico are "the most compliant with the process," whereas the plants in the U.S. "have caught up the quickest."