Ford’s Calling Out Congress Over Affordability Hearing, And Tesla’s The Reason Why

  • Ford is leading resistance to a Senate hearing on vehicle affordability.
  • Ted Cruz insists Detroit CEOs will testify despite scheduling objections.
  • Tesla was invited with a VP, fueling claims of unequal treatment.

As we recently reported, Senator Ted Cruz invited the heads of America’s “Big Three” automakers to Congress. He wants them to testify at a hearing about automobile affordability in the States on January 14. There are a couple of issues with that.

First, it’s happening during the week of the Detroit Auto Show. Maybe more importantly, Cruz invited Tesla’s VP of engineering instead of the brand’s CEO, Elon Musk. Those factors appear to be the main reasons that Ford looks poised to skip the hearing, and GM and Stellantis might follow that lead.

When Cruz announced the hearing and his invitations to Jim Farley, Mary Barra, and Antonio Filosa, it was big news. If they all attend, it’ll be the first time that the CEOs of America’s Big Three automakers all appear before Congress since 2008.

More: Detroit 3 CEOs And Tesla Exec To Face Congress Over Soaring Car Prices

The hearing, officially titled “Pedal to the Policy: The Views of the American Auto Industry on the Upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization,” is being framed by Cruz as a referendum on soaring vehicle prices and the regulatory burden facing automakers. Ford is pushing back, though.

Uneven Ground?

Ford’s Calling Out Congress Over Affordability Hearing, And Tesla’s The Reason Why
Lars Moravy, VP of Vehicle Engineering at Tesla.

According to The Detroit News, Farley has already called the Detroit Auto Show the “Super Bowl week for autos,” and that ethos likely applies just as much to GM and Stellantis. On top of that, council for Farley called out Cruz’s invitation to Tesla’s VP, Lars Moravy, as another reason that Farley might skip it.

Ford laid out its case in a December 12 letter to Senator Cruz, written by Brian Smith of Covington & Burling LLP. The carmaker noted that hiring outside counsel for a congressional hearing is routine, but the letter took issue with how the invite list was structured.

Ford Challenges Uneven Representation

Ford’s Calling Out Congress Over Affordability Hearing, And Tesla’s The Reason Why

“We greatly appreciate the constructive dialogue we have had with you and your staff regarding this hearing, including Mr. Farley’s recent conversation with you adjacent to the White House event on fuel economy standards. Ford remains committed to working with you and your colleagues in a cooperative manner, including in a potential hearing before the Committee,” Smith wrote.

While the letter didn’t mention Tesla by name, it directly criticized what Ford sees as inconsistent treatment.

“Ford believes that it is essential that any potential hearing adhere to Congress’s longstanding tradition of ensuring comparable treatment for similarly situated companies,” Smith added. “If a vice president of engineering is appropriate for the planned hearing, the other companies should have the opportunity to offer a similar witness.”

GM Waits, Stellantis Watches, Cruz Stands Firm

Apparently, GM is on roughly the same page, confirming that Mary Barra will attend only if the other Detroit CEOs do the same. Stellantis has declined to say whether Filosa will appear. Cruz, for his part, appears unmoved. A spokesperson for the senator said plans for the hearing remain unchanged and that all four executives are still expected to attend.

Ford’s Calling Out Congress Over Affordability Hearing, And Tesla’s The Reason Why

The Auto World

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