Dearborn, MI – March 21, 2025 – Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) CEO Jim Farley continues to express admiration for Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), revealing that he has been personally testing a Xiaomi SU7 for the past six months — and he’s not eager to give it up.
Farley’s EV Fascination
Farley first encountered the Xiaomi SU7 during a visit to China last year. The experience left a lasting impression, prompting him to import five of China’s top EVs to the U.S. for further evaluation.
- “I went to China last year and I asked my management team to pick the five best Chinese electric vehicles,” Farley revealed during a recent appearance on the Spike’s Car Radio podcast.
- “We put them on a plane, flew them to Chicago, and drove them to Dearborn. We’ve been driving them ever since.”
Benchmarking the Competition
While Farley did not specify the other four vehicles in Ford’s Chinese EV testing fleet, the company was spotted testing a Zeekr 001 last August.
- The Zeekr 001, from Chinese automaker Geely, boasts a 140 kWh battery pack and a range of 641 miles based on China’s CLTC cycle — though real-world range is likely lower.
- Smaller battery configurations include an 86 kWh pack (339 miles of range) and a 100 kWh pack (460 miles of range).
- Farley’s interest in Zeekr’s long-range capabilities reflects Ford’s push to improve its EV performance and efficiency.
Chinese EVs Inspire Ford’s Low-Cost Platform
Farley has frequently praised Chinese EVs, highlighting their cutting-edge technology, efficiency, and affordability.
- Inspired by the rapid EV innovation in China, Farley established a skunkworks team within Ford to develop a low-cost EV platform capable of competing with Chinese rivals.
- “The competition is so far ahead right now,” Farley admitted, noting that Ford has largely pulled back from expanding in China’s domestic auto market.
- The CEO believes that foreign automakers face a tough battle in China, where homegrown brands have taken the lead in EV innovation and pricing.
The Xiaomi SU7: A Game-Changing EV?
Farley’s long-term testing of the Xiaomi SU7 speaks volumes about the quality and appeal of the Chinese EV.
- The SU7 is Xiaomi’s flagship EV, boasting a sleek design, cutting-edge tech features, and a competitive price point.
- Farley’s reluctance to part with the vehicle underscores its impressive performance and the challenge it presents to legacy automakers like Ford.
Ford’s Strategic Shift
Farley’s public admiration for Chinese EVs underscores Ford’s growing focus on affordability and innovation.
- The company is doubling down on cost-efficient EV platforms to remain competitive.
- With Chinese automakers rapidly gaining ground in both range and pricing, Ford’s move to benchmark top Chinese models reflects its desire to keep pace with global EV leaders.
