Ford Motor Company (F) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

Ford discloses extensive regulatory exposure across global vehicle emissions and fuel-economy regimes but does not disclose a credible net-zero target year or Scope 3 (use-phase) emissions trajectory in the reviewed filings. The company relies materially on purchased regulatory compliance credits (~$1.6B in outstanding obligations, ~$700M expensed in 2025) rather than demonstrated operational emissions reductions, and has scaled back EV/battery investment (planned disposition of BlueOval SK stake) amid slower EV adoption. This is descriptive research output, not investment advice.

Criticisms on file

Reliance on purchased emissions/ZEV compliance credits (~$1.6B obligations, ~$700M 2025 expense) rather than demonstrated direct operational emissions cuts
Source: F_10k.txt - Governmental Standards section
Planned disposition of BlueOval SK battery joint-venture investment amid updated EV strategy, reducing near-term decarbonization infrastructure commitment
Source: F_10k.txt - Risk Factors, Strategic Alliances section
Ongoing scrutiny of vehicle emissions testing industry-wide (defeat device investigations, consumer class actions) noted as an industry risk applicable to manufacturers including Ford
Source: F_10k.txt - Global Developments section

Disclosed initiatives

Battery Energy Storage Business

Ford announced a new battery energy storage business in Q4 2025

Undetermined; early-stage
EV/Hybrid Product Mix

U.S. hybrid wholesales grew from 215,735 (2024) to 216,599 (2025); EV wholesales grew from 68,990 to 82,530 units

Modest electrification progress amid overall EV demand softness
Regulatory Compliance Credit Purchases

Ford enters offtake/compliance credit purchase agreements across regions (~$1.6B outstanding obligations as of Dec 31, 2025) to manage emissions/fuel economy/ZEV compliance

Financial compliance mechanism rather than direct operational emissions reduction

Social story

Ford reports zero employee fatalities in 2025 and maintains extensive UAW collective bargaining coverage (99% of U.S. unionized hourly employees), with no documented strikes or union-suppression activity in the reviewed period. Workforce gender/racial diversity metrics are disclosed, though CEO pay ratio (estimated from public disclosure history) exceeds 200:1, and supply-chain reliance on cobalt/lithium/nickel raw materials carries documented but only partially mitigated human-rights sourcing risk. This is descriptive research output, not investment advice.

Criticisms on file

Dependence on lithium, cobalt, and nickel raw materials sourced globally, with acknowledged risk that supplier adoption of Ford's sustainability/ethical sourcing standards 'may be unsuccessful,' particularly in less-developed markets
Source: F_10k.txt - Risk Factors, Strategic Alliances section
Ongoing NHTSA information requests regarding BlueCruise hands-free driving system following government investigations of driver-assistance technology safety
Source: F_10k.txt - Vehicle Safety section

Disclosed initiatives

Zero Employee Fatalities (2025)

Company reported zero employee fatality incidents globally in 2025

Positive safety outcome
Employee Resource Groups

10 global ERGs covering race, ethnicity, gender, religion, LGBTQ+, disability, veterans, and generational identity

Supports workplace inclusion infrastructure
Supplier Diversity Program

Company maintains a Supplier Diversity program directing spend to demographically-selected suppliers (referenced in 2026 proxy shareholder proposal response)

Referenced but not quantified

Governance story

Ford operates a dual-class share structure granting the Ford family (via Class B stock, held in a voting trust) 40% of voting power despite economic ownership disproportionately smaller, and board independence stands at 73%, below the 75% threshold. Ford is subject to an active 2024 NHTSA consent order requiring independent third-party oversight of its safety compliance processes. Shareholder proposals seeking equal voting rights and disaggregated vote disclosure were opposed by the board in 2026. This is descriptive research output, not investment advice.

Criticisms on file

Dual-class share structure with Ford family Class B shares (40% voting power via voting trust) opposed by shareholder proposals for equal voting rights and vote disclosure by class in 2026 proxy; board recommended against both
Source: F_proxy.txt - Shareholder Proposals 4 & 5
Active NHTSA consent order (entered 2024) mandating independent third-party assessment of Ford's safety-process compliance
Source: F_10k.txt - Vehicle Safety / Risk Factors sections
Board independence at 73%, below best-practice 75%+ threshold
Source: F_proxy.txt - Our Governance Practices section

Disclosed initiatives

Lead Independent Director

John L. Thornton serves as Lead Independent Director given the Chair (William Clay Ford, Jr.) is non-independent

Partial mitigation of dual-class/non-independent chair governance concerns
CPA-Zicklin Political Disclosure 'Trendsetter'

Ford received a 91.43% score for 2025 political/lobbying disclosure transparency

High disclosure transparency, though does not address substance of lobbying positions

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of Ford Motor Company. Coverage and confidence vary by data point, and figures can lag real-world changes. Read the full Methodology for sourcing, scoring, and correction details — or open Ford Motor Company in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

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