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Ford offers employee discount to all customers

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Ford builds 80% of U.S.-sold vehicles domestically

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Ford's inventory exceeds industry average, boosting sales

before

price hike

(Updates with company confirmation, details from release)

By Nora Eckert and Kalea Hall

DETROIT, April 2 (Reuters) - Ford Motor ( F ) announced

discounts across multiple models starting Thursday, leaning on

its healthy inventory to offer customers thousands of dollars

off as competitors hike prices to absorb tariff costs.

Ford will offer employee pricing - a discounted rate

available to its workers - to all customers, the company

confirmed, after Reuters reported the news Wednesday. The

program is called the "From America for America" plan, and is

available to U.S. shoppers.

The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker builds 80% of its

U.S.-sold vehicles domestically, giving it a greater buffer from

U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs than some competitors.

However, it still faces the prospect of steep levies on imported

vehicle parts.

The incentives apply to much of its lineup, including

vehicles like the Mustang Mach-E and Maverick that are built in

Mexico. Some vehicles, including its lucrative Super Duty

trucks, are exempt. The promotion runs until June 2, Ford said.

Trump last week announced 25% duties on all auto imports,

which sent shockwaves through the global industry.

The United States is the world's largest importer of cars,

and nearly half of all cars sold in the country last year were

imported, according to research firm GlobalData.

On Wednesday, Trump broadened the tariffs to a 10% baseline

on all imports, with higher rates for some countries. Ford

shares fell following the tariff announcement, as did those of

General Motors ( GM ) and Tesla.

While under Trump's order, goods from Mexico and Canada that

comply with the USMCA trade agreement between the three

countries will largely remain exempt from tariffs, auto exports

and steel and aluminum fall under separate tariff policies

Barclays analysts said Ford was best positioned to weather

the tariffs given its high percentage of U.S. production, while

rivals General Motors ( GM ) and Chrysler-parent Stellantis ( STLA )

produce around half of their U.S.-sold vehicles domestically.

Buyers have rushed to dealer lots in recent weeks to snap up

cars before prices increase, boosting auto sales in March.

Ford's dealer lots are more stocked than the industry

average, according to Cox automotive. Ford had more than four

months of inventory in February, above the industry average of

nearly three months.

Cox also found that Ford's incentive deals were slightly

lower than the broader industry in February, with Ford's deals

amounting to 6.7% of average vehicle transaction price, while

the industry average was 7.1%, or $3,392.