Paul Triolo, China and technology policy lead for Albright Stonebridge Group, said the U.S. connected vehicle rule amounts to outdated protectionism that restricts automakers’ access to Chinese innovations, pointing to Ford Motor Company’s joint ventures with EV firms as an example.
The topic is significant as U.S. automakers face increasing competition from global electric vehicle manufacturers and must adapt to evolving technologies and market demands. According to the International Council on Clean Transportation, U.S. electric vehicle sales reached a record high in 2025, with market share hitting nearly 12 percent in the third quarter. Legacy automakers such as General Motors saw EV sales double year-over-year, while Hyundai and Volkswagen also posted strong gains.
"The connected vehicle rule had less or nothing to do with national security and everything to do with protecting domestic industry (...) China with Tesla has shown that there are ways to handle technical risks (...) Ford is clearly interested in jv arrangement with Chinese EV company (...) The rule represents retrograde thinking that will only damage the ability of US automakers to compete globally in the long term," Triolo said on X.
According to Triolo's post on X, he made these remarks in response to discussions about potential Chinese investments in U.S. factories under the Trump administration. He said the connected vehicle rule was created before recent developments, such as Ford CEO Jim Farley’s visit to a Xiaomi factory, and argued that updating the rule is necessary for U.S. automaker competitiveness.
Ford is moving forward with construction at its BlueOval Battery Park in Michigan, where production of lithium iron phosphate batteries using licensed technology from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) is scheduled for 2026. The plant will have an annual capacity of 20 gigawatt-hours and employ about 1,700 workers; Ford says this facility will help produce more affordable electric vehicles without relying on imports.
China remains dominant in global EV production, accounting for over 70 percent of worldwide output according to the International Energy Agency, which notes domestic sales surpassed 11 million vehicles in China during 2025 due largely to advancements in battery and supply chain technologies.
