Recently, Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, appeared particularly deferential to Musk during a live chat on Twitter Spaces. The event was held to announce a collaboration between Tesla and Ford, enabling Ford customers to recharge their vehicles at Tesla supercharging stations starting in 2024. While the partnership is significant in the highly competitive EV market, Farley’s continuous expressions of gratitude and admiration for Musk raised eyebrows.
Farley’s effusive praise for Musk and Tesla during the conversation seemed disproportionate and almost fan-like. His excitement was palpable as he shared personal anecdotes about encountering Tesla superchargers during a family vacation. Farley hailed Musk’s achievements and emphasized the value this collaboration brings to Ford’s customers.
While Musk attempted to redirect the conversation to address audience questions, the exchange demonstrated the pedestal on which Farley and other industry leaders place Musk. The conversation concluded with both CEOs expressing mutual gratitude and the potential for future collaboration, with Farley emphasizing Ford’s commitment to EVs.
