Carmakers still scrambling to get rare-earth magnets

The 2025 Mustang Mach-E is one of the Ford vehicles affected. (Image: Ford Motor Company)

Sat, 28 Jun 2025

By Christopher OttsFord Motor still faces difficulties obtaining vital magnets made with rare-earth elements, despite a deal the US struck with China to ease export controls, a company executive says.“It’s hand to mouth – the normal supply-chain scrambling that you have to do,” said Lisa Drake, a vice-president overseeing Ford’s industrial planning for batteries and electric vehicles.Ford in May stopped production at a vehicle factory in the Chicago area because of a magnet shortage. The situation has imp...

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