Pentagon presses automakers to convert idle EV capacity

Senior Pentagon officials met in recent weeks with CEOs including General Motors’ Mary Barra and Ford’s Jim Farley, and with executives from GE Aerospace and Oshkosh, to discuss redirecting idle electric-vehicle manufacturing capacity to defense production.

Officials asked whether automakers could repurpose workers, factory space and existing production systems to make artillery shells, small-arms ammunition and other military supplies. Companies were asked to assess workforce skills, tooling needs, plant layout changes, certification requirements, lead times and contractual and regulatory steps needed to begin defense work quickly.

A Pentagon official described the department as “committed to rapidly expanding the defense industrial base by leveraging all available commercial solutions and technologies to ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage.”

The outreach follows a recent slowdown in U.S. electric-vehicle demand. EVs accounted for 5.9% of U.S. auto sales in the first quarter of 2026, down from 7.6% in the first quarter of 2025 and 7.2% in the first quarter of 2024. EV market share peaked at about 10.6% in the third quarter of 2025.

Defense officials noted that softer demand has left some plants operating below full capacity and that using existing commercial facilities could increase munitions and equipment output without building new factories.

Company executives were asked to outline which assembly lines, engine shops, battery plants and parts operations could be adapted, and how quickly production could be restarted if directed. Officials emphasized evaluating speed, cost and any effect on civilian vehicle availability.

Ford’s ties with Chinese automakers were discussed as part of broader industry context. Farley told reporters he believed Chinese carmakers should be kept out of the U.S. market but later said he values Chinese partners for competitiveness and that they help Ford “stay sharp.” He added he had “no news” to announce on changes to those relationships. Ford has discussed shared manufacturing capacity in Europe with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, held talks with BYD on battery supply, and operates joint ventures in China with Chongqing Changan Automobile and Jiangling Motors.

Pentagon officials said they also want to survey component suppliers, including engine and battery makers and sheet-metal operations, where tooling and skilled labor might be repurposed for defense orders. Any conversion would require companies to evaluate certification timelines, supply-chain adjustments and contract terms to avoid undue disruption to commercial programs.