Ford Pauses Construction on $3.5B Michigan EV Battery Plant Amid Questions Over Jobs, Incentives and China Ties

Ford halting construction on $3.5B EV battery plant in Marshall, Michigan. Company spokesman cites "number of considerations."
Plant expected to employ 2,500 people at $20-$50/hr wages. Was to use battery tech licensed from Chinese company CATL.
Ford announced plant in February after securing $210M in incentives from Michigan. Additional tax breaks worth estimated $775M.
Some community opposition over land use and Ford's CATL deal. Congressional Republicans questioned project.
Comes as UAW strike enters Day 11. Biden visiting Michigan Tuesday to rally workers amid EV transition concerns.

detroitnews.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/25/2023

Ford Pauses Michigan Electric Vehicle Battery Plant Amid UAW Tensions

Ford Motor has announced a suspension of construction on a battery factory in Michigan, citing concerns over competitive pricing and the ability to operate the plant effectively, amid contract negotiations with the United Automobile Workers (UAW).

9/27/2023

Ford pauses $3.5B EV battery plant in Michigan, sparking controversy over Chinese company and U.S. jobs

Ford's decision to pause work on a new battery plant in Michigan reveals the controversy surrounding the project and the role of Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) in the shift to electric vehicles.

10/5/2023

Whitmer Hopes for Swift UAW-Ford Resolution to Restart Paused $3.5B Michigan Battery Plant

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is hopeful that Ford Motor Co. will resume construction of a battery plant near Marshall after the UAW strike ends, but Ford's leadership has not indicated their intentions regarding the strike resolution.

10/9/2023

GM Agrees to EV Battery Production in UAW Deal, Bringing Strike Closer to Resolution

Negotiations between the United Auto Workers and Detroit's Big Three automakers have made progress, with General Motors agreeing to include electric vehicle battery production in its national agreement with the union, though Ford and Stellantis have not yet made similar offers.

10/16/2023

Ford lays off 700 workers building electric F-150 Lightning due to supply chain issues

Ford is temporarily laying off 700 workers at its Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Michigan due to various constraints and decreased sales of the F-150 Lightning, its electric pickup truck, which is unrelated to the ongoing strike by the United Auto Workers union.

Topics

Posted 9/25/2023, 7:41:15 PM