Investment in Michigan was a key topic. Ford reaffirmed the company’s commitment to projects like the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan facility in Marshall, which would create 1,700 jobs. He stressed the importance of policy consistency, especially regarding tax credits tied to investments already made.
“I’m spending a lot of time talking about that with politicians. It’s a federal issue, but it’s also a state issue,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Democratic or Republican, whether you believe in things like production tax credits or you don’t, we made a certain investment based upon a policy that was in place. It’s not fair to change policies after all the expenditure has been made going forward.”
On Thursday, Ford Motor Company released a statement about the pending U.S. tax bill, which includes a provision that would impact Ford’s investments in projects like BlueOval Battery Park. The legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives, is now before the U.S. Senate.
Ford also addressed the challenges of leading in a turbulent environment, particularly with political uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
“While we are very adaptable, we do have long lead times and that sometimes is completely out of sync with Washington,” he said. “I don’t mean necessarily the current administration. I mean every administration. So that’s always been a challenge for us, but we have to do it, and we’re going to do it. I love where we’re positioned as Ford. Nonetheless, it does take its toll.”
Ford English, who held positions in corporate strategy, autonomous vehicles, and smart mobility prior to becoming the first female Ford family member to hold a seat on the Board, addressed the future of electric vehicles, emphasizing the importance of listening to customers.
“It’s not our job to tell customers what to buy. It’s our job to make incredible products that they want to buy,” she said, acknowledging the need to offer consumers a choice of ICE, hybrid, and electric vehicles.
Family Dynamics
For Ford’s three children—daughter Alexandra and sons Will and Nick — working at the family company is not a job but a way of life.
“They had to come to it on their own. I could never say, I would like you to do this. It wouldn’t work. They had to feel it,” he said, noting that his requirements for any member of the family to join the company include a graduate degree from a top university, a minimum of five years working elsewhere, and strong qualifications.
“I absolutely love having all three of them there, but as every parent in this room will understand, you better be ready for what you hear. I stop being the head of Ford Motor Company when I walk in the door, and frankly, they will tell me things that nobody else will, and I value that.”
Very much like her father, Ford English said she is focused on the future.
"A lot of people think about family involvement as being protectors of the past, and that is absolutely not how we view our role," she said. “The industry’s changing so rapidly. Every time I’m thinking about decisions, I’m thinking, are we going to be happy about this decision in five years? What about 10 years? 20? That long-term focus allows us to have a lot of stability but also a great growth mindset.”
Family Values
Ford English said she and her siblings were never taught company values. It was just how they were raised.
“It would be very difficult to separate the corporate values from our family values, and we learned them from watching Dad,” she said. “It’s about amazing products and amazing vehicles, of course, but more it’s about the people, leaving the world a better place, taking care of customers, our employees, the communities we live in, and helping when we can.”
Ford said if companies aren’t making people’s lives better, then they shouldn’t exist.
“That’s what a great company does. It has values. It’s so easy to talk about them, but you have to live them. And it’s about giving back every single day,” he said. “I’ve found that it comes back to you many more times than you give.”
Bill Ford powerfully illustrated the impact of these values during the financial crisis, recounting how employees at all levels sent messages saying, "Hey, Bill, don't give up. We can do this... we will not let this company fail." He added, "The company has to be more than a paycheck... if all it is is a paycheck, forget it. It's not worth it."
Lessons Learned
When asked about the best advice she’s ever received from her father, Ford English said it was something he always said to her.
“He used to tell me all the time growing up, I expect more out of you. And it used to drive me nuts, and I never thought I would value that advice, but now I really do,” she said. “When I think about it now, I hear it as a reminder to not compare myself to anyone and to just run my own race.”
Ford said he’s always appreciated his daughter’s directness.
“She’s always the one who will sit me down and tell me what I don’t want to hear,” he said. “She’s done that since she was born, and it’s been great. Not many people in life will do that. She’s been the brave one in our family.”
As for the advice he would give her, Ford said, “This is a very tough industry, and it won’t get any easier as we go forward. You have to continue to be resilient but also continue to look to the future.”
