Ford's CEO Jim Farley announced a $2 billion investment to overhaul its Louisville assembly line, aiming to produce a $30,000 midsize EV truck by 2027, as part of a broader strategy to compete with Chinese EV maker BYD and Big Tech companies, emphasizing cost reduction and innovative manufacturing to regain market competitiveness.
Ford is investing $2 billion to overhaul its Louisville Assembly Plant with a new, innovative 'universal production system' for affordable EVs, including a mid-sized pickup, by replacing traditional assembly lines with a three-branched system that reduces parts, speeds up production, and involves fewer workers, aiming to compete with Chinese EV manufacturers and adapt to industry changes.
Airbus has agreed to build a second assembly line in China, doubling its capacity in the country and strengthening its access to the world's second-largest aviation market. The move comes as domestic travel in China returns to pre-pandemic levels. Airbus also received approval for existing orders for 160 jets but failed to win new orders during a French state visit. The new plant will bring to 10 the number of Airbus assembly lines operating or planned worldwide. China represents over 20% of the aircraft market and is also bringing its own competing plane, the C919, into service.