Trial Secretly Chinese Electric Car, CEO Ford Surprised And Admits China Is Far Ahead

Changan Nevo E07, a transformer (SUV) can be the world's first mass-produced pickup truck. (Doc. Changan Global)

JAKARTA - Ford has adjusted the company's targets or strategies related to electric car production (EV). One of these strategies delays the launch of a new EV model.

Then what underlies this decision in addition to slowing down demand for electric cars? Carscoops reported, September 19, there was an interesting incident experienced by Ford executives after conducting a secret trial of a Chinese electric car.

Ford CEO Jim Farley has bluntly called China's EV the "largest threat", underscoring the rapid progress of their current capabilities.

Previously, this was also reported by The Wall Street Journal, which revealed that Ford CEO Jim Farley and CFO John Lawler conducted trials of the Changan electric SUV in China last year. This experience left a deep impression on them, they also admitted that China's EV technology was much more advanced than they expected.

"Jim, this is not what it used to be," Lawler told Farley.

"These people are more advanced than us." This admission shows how rapidly the development of the EV industry in China, which has surpassed Western automotive manufacturers.

On the one hand, Ford has long been present in China, this recognition is an alarm for companies to accelerate their steps in the development of electric cars. While import rates could be a barrier to China's EV entry into the United States market, Ford is still taking careful steps in its EV expansion.

Ford has announced plans to launch an EV for 30 thousand US dollars (approximately IDR 460 million) in early 2027. However, as written above Ford has also reduced some of its ambitions in the EV sector, including delays in production of three-line electric SUVs and large electric trucks.

China's fast progress on EVs is increasingly putting great pressure on Western automotive manufacturers, including Ford. These companies must adapt quickly to remain competitive in a growing and technology-oriented market.