Ford CEO Jim Farley admitted one of his latest favorite cars is a Chinese EV but the most expensive in his collection is very different
Published on Apr 16, 2026 at 4:27 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Apr 17, 2026 at 3:34 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
It’ll be no surprise to you that Ford CEO Jim Farley has quite an impressive car collection, with a Chinese EV among his favorites.
However, it’s not the most expensive among his lineup.
In fact, that distinction goes to a car that is very different.
You could even say this car is the polar opposite of a Chinese EV.
Ford CEO Jim Farley loves his Chinese EV – but it’s not the most expensive car he’s got
Ford CEO Jim Farley has made no secret of the fact that he’s been impressed by China’s output when it comes to EVs.
While in Australia, he got behind the wheel of several hybrid pickups, including the BYD Shark 6 and the GWM Cannon Alpha.
This left him with one conclusion – these companies mean business, and their products aren’t to be underestimated.
Farley has spoken out before about the matter of China’s cars, warning that Chinese EV makers like BYD and Xiaomi were ‘completely dominating’ the market.
So with all of this in mind, it’s probably no surprise that he drives a Chinese EV himself.
The EV in question is a Xiaomi SU7, a full-size sedan.
Back in 2024, the SU7 was imported via Chicago, and it quickly became a firm favorite of the Ford CEO.
In an interview with the Everything Electric Show Podcast in October 2024, he admitted that he’d been driving the SU7 for six months at that point.
It’s certainly one way to size up the competition.
John Higham, the Vice President of Communications at the Electric Vehicles Association, says that Farley’s positive experience illustrates a wider trend in the automotive world.
“It is definitely notable that he had nothing but praise to heap upon it. That was certainly my experience with a Chinese-built MG3 I rented in Norway around the time Jim had his SU7,” Higham told Supercar Blondie.
“But the experience does underscore that the West’s auto manufacturing sector (US, German, etc.) is [in trouble]. Like oil, auto prices are set globally. We (the West and the US in particular) can tariff them to death but capitalism will find a way.”
But this EV – costing approximately $31,000 – isn’t even close to being the most expensive car he owns.
But which is?
Well, when he’s not busy being Ford’s CEO or inspecting the inside of Teslas, Farley likes to spend time out on the race track.
Some of the cars he races include a 1964 Shelby Cobra and a 1978 Lola T298.
But the most expensive of the lot was undoubtedly a 1966 Ford GT40 Mk1.
These bad boys have sold for millions over the years, with prices ranging from $1.65 million to as high as $11 million.
Admittedly, that last one had an extra dose of star quality about it, on account of being used as a camera car in the 1971 film Le Mans.
Given that Farley’s car is a legitimate racer that has seen action at Le Mans, it’s estimated that his one is worth something between $9 million and $12 million.
Iain Tyrrell, founder of Cheshire Classic Cars and expert on classic cars, offered an interesting perspective on the costs that could come with owning a car like the GT40.
“The GT40 is an interesting case in point,” he told Supercar Blondie.
“In terms of costs of maintaining this car, some parts are very cheap and other parts are ridiculously expensive – and there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground.
“The pedal box on GT40s was originally magnesium and that is quite expensive to buy.
“Brake discs on the other hand are relatively cheap. And then there’s the ZF gearbox, which is generic and was used in a lot of cars – there are specialists who can rebuild those relatively easily.
“Who is going to a supercar worth millions and skimp on the maintenance? Absolutely no one.”
Do American carmakers need to be worried about competition from China?
We know that Farley has said his piece about Chinese EVs, but is he the sole voice in the wilderness?
Are other figures within the American car industry worried about the competition from overseas?
Well, the CEO over at General Motors has been sounding the alarm too, noting that cheap Chinese EVs are something of a ‘slippery slope’.
With more than half of Americans reportedly open to buying a Chinese car, Chinese EVs entering the US market will be a matter of ‘when’, not ‘if’.
Following stints at LadBible, The Sun, The New York Post, and the Daily Mail, Ben joined the team full-time in February 2025. In his role as Senior Content Writer, his sparkling copy, the ability to sniff out a good story at 100 paces, and a GSOH quickly led to him becoming an integral and invaluable member of the writing staff.
