Ford was one of America’s top military suppliers during World War 2, building tanks, planes and the GPW version of the original “Jeep.” It may soon be reentering the industry.
Following recent reports that the U.S. government had reached out to automakers asking them to help supply the Department of War, Ford CEO Jim Farley has confirmed talks are taking place.
“As the most American company, Ford has always called the answer to duty, you know, to support our country. It was ventilators and COVID, of course, the arsenal of democracy. As you know, we are very successful with our government sales in business and [Ford] Pro. We have very close relationships through the vehicle side,” Farley said during the company’s first quarter earnings call.
“First of all, we are in early discussions with the U.S. government on some defense-related projects. We’re not gonna go into details of those today. In addition, and I would say equally important, is Ford’s role as an anchor customer on onshoring critical minerals, and many other supply chain vulnerabilities we have in our country. I think you should expect Ford to play an outsized role in manufacture-grade semiconductors, critical minerals like batteries and rare earths. Our supply chain is heavily engaged not only with our government, but new companies that are starting to emerge in our country to onshore some of this capability. I think maybe perhaps in the short term, that’s the biggest role Ford can play in, you know, helping our country.”
Ford hasn’t had a dedicated defense division since Ford Aerospace, the last of its post-war operations, was sold to Loral ini 1990. Missiles and military satellite systems were among the products it produced.
Stellantis has not yet said if it has been involved with the taks, but General Motors is already directly involved with the Department of War through its GM Defense division, which builds and Infantry Squad Vehicle that’s based on the Chevrolet Colorado pickup chassis.
GM Defense offered one of the trucks to the public for the first time at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Palm Beach, Fla., to raise money for the Medal of Honor Foundation, and NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick placed the $1 million winning bid. Hendrick Motorsports is also a supplier for the project as the manufacturer of its rollover protection cage.
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