Considering Chrysler stopped making sedans in 2016 and Ford stopped in 2018, I think they were well aware how far China was ahead. They didn’t even bother trying to compete and just make cars for people who will take the longest to make the switch to electric.
They fact that they were only apparently just realizing this in “early 2023” says a lot more about the US auto industry.
Publicly*
Ford has known about this for a few years already
Considering Chrysler stopped making sedans in 2016 and Ford stopped in 2018, I think they were well aware how far China was ahead. They didn’t even bother trying to compete and just make cars for people who will take the longest to make the switch to electric.