Ford CEO Jim Farley has drawn criticism for driving an electric vehicle from the Chinese tech company Xiaomi.
He has openly praised Xiaomi’s latest model, the SU7, calling it “fantastic” and admitting on a recent podcast that after six months of driving it, he would “rather not return it.”
But his endorsement has sparked controversy and opposition from various quarters.
Jason Isaac of the American Energy Institute is one of the most vocal critics, arguing that it’s problematic for the CEO of an American automaker to drive a Chinese electric car, especially given the substantial tax-funded subsidies Ford receives.
Isaac describes Farley’s choice as “a slap in the face” to both American manufacturers and taxpayers.
Critics suggest that Ford’s government-backed investment in electrification should come with a stronger commitment to American-made vehicles.
The New York Post reports that Farley has been a strong advocate for transitioning to electric cars in the U.S. and has championed Ford’s development of its own EV models.
But his choice to drive a foreign car raises questions about Ford’s dedication to American manufacturing and its strategy to lead the national shift to electric.
Ford has not yet commented on the criticism.
