Ford Seeks Approval to Keep Selling China-Built Lincoln Nautilus in U.S.

Ford Motor Company has submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Commerce seeking permission to continue importing and selling the Lincoln Nautilus SUV, which is assembled in China. Although the vehicle uses software developed in the United States, it is subject to a recent U.S. ban on connected vehicles due to its final assembly taking place in China, requiring government approval for continued sales. The ban was implemented by the Biden administration in January 2025 on national security grounds, restricting connected vehicles from using Chinese software, and remains in effect under the subsequent Trump administration. Software-related restrictions apply to model year 2027 vehicles, while hardware restrictions will take effect starting with model year 2030. Ford plans to import the 2027 Nautilus in January 2026, giving it several months to secure compliance approval. General Motors has already instructed some suppliers to eliminate Chinese-made components from their supply chains before 2027. Brands such as Volvo and Polestar face similar challenges and must apply individually for special exemptions. The U.S. Department of Commerce does not publicly disclose companies’ exemption applications or approval outcomes, so it is currently unclear how many automakers have sought waivers. Additionally, the regulation also impacts parts suppliers, as globally co-developed hardware and software technologies are difficult to fully disentangle.