Ford Scales Back Diversity Efforts Amid Backlash

Ford Motor Company has announced significant changes to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in response to growing pressure from conservative groups. CEO Jim Farley stated that the company will no longer use quotas for hiring or for minority dealerships and suppliers, and it will stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. This decision aligns Ford with other companies like Lowe's and Harley-Davidson, which have also scaled back DEI initiatives. Critics, including the Human Rights Campaign, have condemned Ford's move as a retreat from its commitment to inclusivity, warning of long-term consequences for employees and the LGBTQ+ community. The backlash against DEI policies has intensified following a Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, reflecting broader cultural tensions in the U.S. Ford emphasized that it will focus on meeting the diverse beliefs of its employees and customers without engaging in polarizing commentary.