- Ford CEO declined to testify, so Senate hearing was delayed.
- Tesla’s VP invite sparked backlash among Detroit automakers.
- Lawmakers say affordability remains a top hearing priority.
January 14 was shaping up to be a big day in the automotive calendar. Senator Ted Cruz had planned a high-profile congressional hearing with the CEOs of three major American automakers, aiming to tackle rising concerns over vehicle affordability. Instead, a lopsided guest list has thrown the entire event off course.
More: Detroit 3 CEOs And Tesla Exec To Face Congress Over Soaring Car Prices
After Cruz left Tesla’s Elon Musk off of the guest list, Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, balked at why he needed to attend. Farley, through legal counsel, also pointed to a scheduling conflict, as the Detroit Auto Show kicks off on January 14. Now, the meeting is in limbo altogether.
Why Is Elon Missing?
According to a report from Politico, the Senate Commerce Committee has delayed its January 14 hearing after Farley declined to testify on the scheduled date. The session was supposed to feature the CEOs of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis in what would have been their first joint appearance before Congress since the 2008 financial crisis.
The twist in all of this is that Cruz invited Tesla’s VP of Engineering, Lars Moravy, instead of CEO Elon Musk. Ford argued that bringing in executives of different seniority levels violates longstanding congressional norms. And that if a VP is sufficient for Tesla, the same standard should apply to everyone else.
GM appears to agree, previously stating that CEO Mary Barra would attend only if all invited CEOs participate. Stellantis has declined to say whether CEO Antonio Filosa would testify. According to the report, GM, Stellantis, and Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In a statement, committee spokesperson Phoebe Keller said lawmakers are “coordinating with the leaders of the auto industry to reschedule this hearing” and reiterated that the discussion would focus on auto affordability, efficiency standards, and domestic manufacturing.
Cruz Stands Firm on Musk
Cruz, however, has defended his decision not to invite Musk, saying Democrats would turn the hearing into a political circus focused on Musk’s role leading the Department of Government Efficiency rather than on car prices.
“If Elon is a witness, the Democrats will turn it into a circus,” Cruz said, adding that affordability, not Musk, was the goal. Despite the postponement, Cruz insists the hearing will happen and that Farley will eventually testify. Whether Detroit’s CEOs actually show up together, or whether Musk’s shadow continues to derail the process from afar, remains very much to be seen.
