Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley warned that a robust free trade framework with Canada and Mexico is essential to maintain the automaker’s competitive edge. Speaking at a Detroit industry forum, Farley highlighted that roughly two-thirds of Ford’s supply chain is based in North America and that the company produces more than 2.2 million vehicles annually across its U.S., Canadian and Mexican facilities. He argued that uncertainty over tariff schedules and rules of origin could drive up input costs by an estimated 8 percent and disrupt just-in-time logistics. Farley urged policymakers to finalize revisions to the existing agreement this quarter to safeguard more than 120,000 North American jobs tied to Ford’s manufacturing operations.

Ford announced the introduction of the 2027 Bronco RTR, its eighth variant in the Bronco family and a bridge model between the Heritage Edition and the flagship Raptor. The RTR features reinforced suspension components, 35-inch all-terrain tires, and a front stabilizer bar derived from the Raptor program, yet retains the base Bronco’s 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. Positioned between the $51,475 Heritage Edition and the roughly $80,000 Raptor, with the base model starting at about $40,000, the RTR is designed to offer enthusiasts a “gateway” to high-performance off-road capability. Ed Krenz, Bronco chief program engineer, noted that the RTR’s recalibrated drive modes and strengthened frame rails are expected to boost torsional rigidity by 12 percent over the standard model.

President Trump cited Ford’s resumption of around-the-clock production at its Michigan Assembly Plant as evidence that tariffs on foreign-made autos have driven significant domestic investment. Ford confirmed it has committed over $5 billion in upgrades to its Dearborn and Wayne County plants since 2023, including a new stamping line and robotic paint cells. Those investments form part of the broader $70 billion in automotive plant spending announced by U.S. automakers during the past three years. Ford reported that the shift to 24/7 operations has increased the plant’s output capacity by 20 percent and is expected to support an additional 800 hourly jobs by mid-year.