Ford (NYSE:F) CEO Jim Farley on Tuesday told the media his company’s earnings, future, electric vehicles, the charging deal with Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and more at Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
Farley said his team didn’t really hesitate when it came to Ford’s partnership with Tesla because they liked the reliability and locations of the company’s charging network. Under the agreement between the two rival companies, Ford electric vehicle drivers will be allowed access to over 12,000 Tesla Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada sometime in 2024.
“I have no problem being opportunistic when it comes to advantaging my customers,” Farley said. “Our team didn’t really hesitate because it’s good for customers.” He added that even though his company’s charging network was extensive before the Tesla deal, the additional stations will be a boon for Ford drivers.
During negotiations, Farley said Tesla CEO Elon Musk was respectful but “more because of Henry Ford than Jim Farley.” Farley added he isn’t worried that Musk’s Cybertruck venture will take his customers away.
“The reality is, America loves an underdog — and we are the market leader for EV trucks and vans, and we know those customers better than anyone,” Farley said. “And if he wants to design a Cybertruck for Silicon Valley people, fine.”
Shares in F lost 13 cents to $14.10, while those for TSLA stumbled $5.96, or 2.2%, to $268.50
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