<ul><li><strong>Ford and Geely have been discussing a potential partnership for &#34;months,&#34;<em>Reuters</em>reported on Wednesday.</strong></li><li><strong>Talks are said to include potential vehicle technology sharing and Geely utilizing Ford's</strong><strong>manufacturing space.</strong></li><li><strong>This could help Geely avoid huge tariff bills—at least in Europe—while building its global presence.</strong></li></ul><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_first_1770249288"></div></div><p>Ford's leadership team is enamored with Chinese EVs; its CEO didn't want to stop driving the Xiaomi SU7 imported into the U.S. That's why it may come as no surprise that the Ford has reportedly been exploring a partnership with at least one Chinese EV juggernaut.</p><p>Ford has been discussing a partnership with Geely Automotive Holdings—the conglomerate that owns brands like Volvo, Zeekr, Polestar, Lynk &amp; Co, Lotus and Geely—for &#34;months,&#34; insiders toldReuters. The companies are exploring a variety of areas for collaboration, eight people with knowledge of the talks told the outlet.</p><p>It wouldn't be the first tie-up between an old-school Western manufacturer and a fast-moving Chinese automaker. And it may not be the last, as the world's car companies scramble to catch up to China.</p><div></div><section>        <span class="svg-search">                                                </span>                            <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E" width="16" height="9" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png"/>            <div>Photo by: Patrick George</div></section><p>Talks are said to center around two main topics. The first of which is a framework for shared vehicle technologies, including automated driving. That could help Ford build out its upcoming $30,000 EV pickup and affordable EV platform, or could mean Ford sharing its own legacy expertise with Geely. It's not exactly clear at this point.</p><p>Sources say that the companies have also discussed Geely utilizing Ford's factory space in Europe to help expand its global manufacturing footprint.</p><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_1_1770249288"></div></div><p>Ford's under-used plant in Valencia, Spain, is the likely candidate for building Geelys, an insider told<em>Reuters.</em>Ford Valencia Body and Assembly currently assembles the compact Ford Kuga crossover and has an annual production capacity of around 450,000 vehicles. It also happens to be the automaker's largest manufacturing plant outside of its home turf and was already being considered as a location for a &#34;new, multi-energy passenger car&#34; by Ford in 2024.</p><p>Ford's leadership team and senior Geely executives reportedly met in Michigan last week to hold discussions (the scope of which isn't clear at this time). Separately, followed by a separate delegation team sent to China by Ford this week.</p><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Native_native_3_1770249288"></div></div><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Native_native_2_1770249288"></div></div><p>If a partnership materializes, it could put Geely in a very solid position to avoid the tariffs imposed by the European Union on Chinese-imported vehicles (which are as high as 37.6%). Sources tell <em>Reuters</em> that the manufacturing space talks are more advanced than those on platform sharing, though both companies have declined to confirm any concrete plans.</p><p>&#34;We have discussions with lots of companies all the time on a variety of topics,&#34; a Ford spokesperson told <em>Reuters</em>. &#34;Sometimes they materialize, sometimes they don't.&#34;</p><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_2_1770249288"></div></div><p>Ford didrecently deny that it was in talks with Chinese newcomer, Xiaomi, regarding a joint ventureto manufacture EVs in the U.S. So the company clearly is willing to deny when something is off the table.</p><p>Years ago, Chinese firms learned the ropes of making cars from joint-venture partners, which are required for foreign brands to sell cars in the country. Now the situation appears to have flipped, and established firms are leveraging the strengths of high-tech Chinese newcomers.</p><p>Volkswagen has a technology partnership with Xpeng that mirrors its Rivian joint venture in the U.S. Stellantis took a large stake in Leapmotor and has the rights to sell its vehicles outside of China. Ford is licensing LFP battery technology from China's CATL to make cells domestically.</p>    <section>        <div>            <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/custom/share/evus_newsletter_widget_logo.svg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="logo" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/custom/share/evus_newsletter_widget_logo.svg"/>        </div>        <div>            <div>Stay informed with our newsletter every weekday</div>                        <div>                <div></div>                back            </div>                                             Subscribe                <span class="widget-newsletter__legal">For more info, read our Privacy Policy &amp; Terms of Use. </span>                    </div>    </section><p>There's no word on how the potential Ford/Geely deal might play out for the U.S. right now. Geely clearly wants to expand further into the U.S. market, which is guarded by steep tariffs. Plus, Chinese connected-car software is banned in the U.S., which means that the company needs to find a workaround if it wants to bring its Chinese-market cars here.</p><div><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_3_1770249288"></div></div><p>As Ford says, these discussions may not amount to anything. But the carmaker's CATL deal does tell us something: If the Geely partnership does materialize and does extend to the U.S., expect political controversy.</p><section> <p>More Ford EV News</p> <div> <div>                    Tesla's Latest Approach Isn't Working </div> <div>                    Ford's CEO Doesn't Want To Stop Driving China's Apple Car </div> <div>                    Michigan Is Suing Oil Companies For 'Suppressing' EVs </div> <div>                    Why LFP Became The Dominant EV Battery Chemistry In 2025 </div> </div> </section>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <section><p><span>We want your opinion!</span></p><div><p>What would you like to see on Insideevs.com?</p>Take our 3 minute survey.</div><p>- The InsideEVs team</p></section>                                                                                                    <div>                                <div>                                    Share this Story                                </div>                                <div>                                    <ul>                            <li>                                                                                                                                            Facebook                                                                        </li>                                    <li>                                                                                                                                            X                                                                        </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                                            LinkedIn                                                                        </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                                            Flipboard                                                                        </li>                                                    <li>                                                                                                                                            Reddit                                                                        </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                                            WhatsApp                                                                        </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                                            E-Mail                                                                        </li>                                                                                    <li>                                                                                                                                                 copy                                                                        </li>    </ul>                                </div>                                                                                                            <div>                                            <div>                                                                                                                                                                                                    <span class="top-counter-comments-label">GO TO COMMENTS</span>                                                                                                     <div>                                                        <span>(</span>                                                        <div></div>                                                        <span>)</span>                                                    </div>                                                                                            </div>                                        </div>                                                                                                </div>                                                            <div>                                    <div>                                        <span>Got a tip for us? 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<p>Ford is in discussions with Chinese EV manufacturer Geely for a potential partnership that could involve technology sharing and utilizing Ford's manufacturing space in Europe. This collaboration aims to help Geely avoid high tariffs on imported vehicles while expanding its global presence. Talks are reportedly focused on shared vehicle technologies and the use of Ford's Valencia plant for Geely's production. While the partnership could enhance Geely's position in Europe, the outcome of these discussions remains uncertain, with Ford emphasizing that not all talks lead to agreements.</p>

- Ford and Geely are reportedly discussing a potential partnership focusing on vehicle technology sharing and utilizing Ford's manufacturing space in Europe.  
- This collaboration could help Geely evade hefty tariffs on Chinese imports while enhancing its global presence, especially in the EU market.  
- The talks, which involve Ford's under-used Valencia plant, may also reflect an industry trend of Western automakers engaging with innovative Chinese firms to stay competitive.

Ford May Partner Up With A Chinese EV Company. It's Part Of A Growing Trend.