Ford is working with a Chinese supplier on a battery factory
- Ford Motor is collaborating with CATL on a new battery plant in Michigan.
- CEO Jim Farley discussed the announcement on CNBC's "Power Lunch".
- Ford stock is currently up more than 10% versus the start of the year 2023.
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This article has been updated to reflect a statement from Ford Motors
Ford Motor Co (NYSE: F), on Monday, said it is working with CATL, the largest battery maker in the world, on a $3.50 billion battery facility for electric vehicles in Michigan. Shares ended comfortably in the green today.
What’s in it for Ford?
Copy link to sectionThe legacy automaker confirmed that it will license the technology from the Chinese supplier but refused to divulge the financial details of the agreement.
The new factory will produce LFP – lithium iron phosphate batteries that are known to be more cost-effective than the nickel cobalt manganese batteries that Ford is using currently. On CNBC’s “Power Lunch”, CEO Jim Farley said:
We’re scaling up to 600,000 units by year-end. These batteries are less expensive, better business for us. They’ll help us get to that 8.0% roadmap for profitable EVs. Scaling EVs is great but you have to make money on them.
Last week, a Deutsche Bank analyst recommended selling Ford stock after its disappointing fourth-quarter results (find out more).
Why did Ford pick China?
Copy link to sectionAccording to Ford, the plant that’s expected to employ roughly 2,500 people will go live in 2026. The announcement comes at a time when the Sino-U.S. tensions seem to be flaring up again. Still, the chief executive added:
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This plant is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford. We run the plant, it’s out investment, it’ll be run by our people. So, we don’t really have any concerns at all.
CEO Farley also said that there wasn’t a viable alternative in the U.S. with whom Ford could partner on this plant.
Vehicles produced at this factory, he concluded, will be eligible for federal tax incentives as well. Year-to-date, Ford stock is currently up more than 10%.
A Ford spokeperson further clarified in an e-mail to Invezz and said: “CATL’s limited involvement will be as a contractual service provider and licensor of technology to Ford, and they will receive no U.S. tax dollars through this deal.”
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