Jim Farley, CEO and president of leading U.S. automaker, Ford, on Thursday emphasized the growing significance of the Chinese automotive market.
Speaking on the sidelines of the "Detroit Proud" event ahead the 2025 Detroit Auto Show, running from Jan 10 to 20 in the U.S. state of Michigan, Farley noted the crucial role of China's auto market and its rapid growth of electric vehicles.
"The China market is perhaps the most important market in the world today. EREVs (extended range electric vehicles) are growing fast. The electrification is starting to get more complicated than just EVs. The local brands are very powerful, and they're now the number one exporter on the globe. And one of the key markets are exporting to is Mexico. I think one out of five vehicles sold in Mexico are now built in China. So, China is a global player in our industry, and Ford, with all of our revenue outside of the U.S. and Europe, we compete every day with our Chinese OEMs (original equipment manufacturers)," said Farley.
Data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Thursday showed China's retail sales of passenger vehicles in 2024 surpassed 22.8 million units, marking a year-on-year increase of 5.5 percent. Sales of new energy passenger vehicles reached more than 10.8 million units in 2024, up 40.7 percent from the previous year.
China perhaps world's most important auto market: Ford CEO
Japanese citizens took to the streets of Tokyo's Shinjuku district on Saturday, voicing strong opposition to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration for lifting the ban on lethal weapons exports, advancing a "National Intelligence Agency" bill, and pushing for the revision of the country's postwar pacifist constitution.
On Tuesday, the Japanese government, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, officially revised the "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" and their implementation guidelines.
The revisions scrap the restrictions that had limited arms exports to five non-combat categories, allow, in principle, the export of lethal weapons, permit transfers to nations engaged in active conflict under specified circumstances, and sideline parliament from the decision-making process, crossing a line that previous governments had at least nominally upheld.
"Allowing the export of lethal weapons and even attempting to possess nuclear arms, the Takaichi administration is leading Japan toward war, despite our postwar commitment of never starting a war again. Many people are worried. This must be stopped," said a protester.
The cornerstone of Japan's pacifist constitution is Article 9, which renounces the nation's right to engage in war or to resort to military force to resolve international conflicts. For decades, this article has been a fundamental constraint on Japan's military endeavors.
"I am firmly opposed to amending the Constitution. Takaichi claims 'the time has come,' but that's just her own decision. Without Article 9 of the Constitution, Japan could be swept into America's wars. That must not happen," said another participant.
"Japan once invaded other Asian countries and has maintained a pacifist constitution ever since. But now the government has arbitrarily decided to lift the ban on exporting lethal weapons without sufficient parliamentary debate. It's unacceptable," said another demonstrator.
"If we abandon our stance as a peaceful nation under the constitution, it would be absolutely intolerable. Thanks to Article 9, Japan hasn't waged war or been pulled into conflict. For Japan's place in the international community, Article 9 must not be changed," said another protester.
Tokyo protesters oppose Takaichi’s lethal weapons export, constitution revision plans
Tokyo protesters oppose Takaichi’s lethal weapons export, constitution revision plans
