Dive Brief: - Ford Motor Co. plans to boost U.S. production of its luxury brand Lincoln vehicles beginning in 2030, the automaker announced in a press release. - The plans include phasing out Lincoln brand vehicle imports from China to the U.S., which are currently subject to a tariff rate of 52.5%. That includes the midsize Nautilus SUV, which is currently assembled exclusively in China by Changan Ford, a 50/50 joint venture between Ford and Changan Automobile. - The move is part of Ford’s goal of boosting domestic manufacturing. The company expects it will generate thousands of direct and indirect U.S. jobs. Dive Insight: Ford and Changan Automobile launched the Changan-Ford JV in 2012. The JV produces both Ford and Lincoln brand vehicles for the China market. The JV factory in Hangzhou, which opened in 2015, currently builds the Lincoln Nautilus, Aviator and Ford Explorer and Edge L SUVs, according to Ford’s website. Ford’s other Lincoln models — the Navigator and Nautilus SUVs — are built in the U.S. and are currently exported to global markets, including Canada, Mexico and The Middle East. The Navigator is currently built at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, and the Aviator is assembled at the automaker’s Chicago Assembly Plant. Ford says it assembled over 2 million vehicles in the U.S. last year, more than any other OEM. “Lincoln is a quintessentially American brand, and Ford is America’s automaker. This wasn’t necessarily the easiest path. In fact, it’s a path most of our competitors aren’t choosing to take, said Ford CEO and President Jim Farley, in a statement. “But Ford builds in America because we believe in America, and we’re betting on that belief again.” Another factor for Ford phasing out Lincoln production in China is the Connected Vehicles Rule, finalized in January 2025.