Ford Motor Company has asked investors to refrain from endorsing shareholder proposals concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion.
In a communication to investors, Ford outlined a series of proposals and voting matters that shareholders should evaluate. Included in the voting items are elections for directors, featuring at least three members of the Ford family, notably Henry Ford III, the great-grandson of founder Henry Ford.
Additional voting matters include the ratification of an independent accounting firm, approval of executive compensation, and voting on the company’s tax benefits program.
The final two entries on the voting agenda were categorized as “Shareholder proposals related to reports on supply chains.” [Green House Gas] Emissions and net zero objectives and “Shareholder proposals related to reporting on DEI Strategy.”
A summary of voting items provided to Ford Motor Company shareholders.
“Net Zero’s policy is genuinely detrimental to the final results.”
Concurrently, the company detailed each voting item and recommendations from its committee. In the column titled “Board recommends,” Ford endorsed “or favorable” for all individual items except for the Net Zero and DEI proposals. The company suggested “opposition” to these specific items.
Ford has urged shareholders to oppose the DEI and net zero initiatives.
“It’s encouraging that Ford is reconsidering its position on DEI and Net Zero initiatives,” commented a Ford investor who wished to remain anonymous when speaking to Blaze News. “The Net Zero Policy is substantially affecting the bottom line of North American car manufacturers,” the investor added.
Ford’s journey with its DEI initiative has been extensive. In 2023, the automaker launched “. Very gay birds of prey” and featured the truck commercial that depicted pickups emerging from the mud to unveil vehicle wraps adorned with transgender pride flags. The advertisements then introduced the words “tough redefine” as trans colors highlighted the text.
In the summer of 2024, Ford responded stating that it would not withdraw support for activist Robby Starbuck in alignment with the Progressive Activist Group The Human Rights Campaign credit system, nor would it contribute to pride events.
Moreover, the CEO called for respect and courtesy for all ideologies.
At that moment, the Human Rights Campaign responded by lauding Ford as “so tough,” while also playfully remarking on the well-known Ford toughness motto. HRC further stated that the company had become caught up with “internet trolls at the expense of its workforce and community.”
“I will not overlook this shortsighted decision and its repercussions as the LGBTQ+ community has identified $1.4 trillion in spending, with 30% of Gen Z identifying as LGBTQ+,” HRC noted on X.
The shareholder vote for Ford concludes on May 7th.
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