Ford Pauses Battery Plant Amid Lawmaker Backlash Over China Ties; Biden and Trump Visit Michigan Amid UAW Strikes Slowing Detroit 3 Output

Ford has paused construction on a new $3.5B battery plant in Michigan after backlash from lawmakers over its partnership with Chinese company CATL. Republicans are concerned about potential IP theft and reliance on Chinese battery tech.
President Biden visited a GM plant picket line in Michigan to show solidarity with striking UAW workers. Trump is also visiting the state to criticize the auto industry's shift to EVs.
The UAW strikes could end up benefiting Toyota if inventory of Detroit 3 trucks runs low, since Toyota has resolved supply issues.
EV adoption globally is increasing but experiencing slowdowns in some markets like Europe and South Korea due to high energy costs and economic uncertainty.
The article's author is moving to InsideEVs as editor-in-chief, thanking The Autopian's readers and editors.

theautopian.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/25/2023

Ford Pauses Work on $3.5B Michigan Battery Plant Over Cost and Policy Concerns

Ford Motor Company has paused work on a $3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan due to concerns about its competitive operation, prompting questions about the flow of U.S. tax subsidies to China and Ford's dependence on Chinese technology.

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

Tesla Dominates US Electric Vehicle Market, Outselling Next 19 Rivals Combined in First Half of 2023

Ford's decision to halt the construction of a $3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan highlights the challenge for Tesla's competitors in the US market, as most of these automakers are struggling to sell enough electric vehicles at high volumes to support profitable assembly plants, according to Reuters analysis.

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.

10/27/2023

Ford Pushes Pause on $12B in EV Factory Spending Amid High Costs and Slowing Demand

Ford is delaying $12 billion in EV factory construction, including a battery plant in Kentucky, due to customer resistance to the higher cost of electric vehicles, resulting in extended timelines for Ford's transformation into an EV company.

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Posted 9/27/2023, 2:27:30 PM

Ford Pauses Battery Plant Amid Lawmaker Backlash Over China Ties; Biden and Trump Visit Michigan Amid UAW Strikes Slowing Detroit 3 Output

Ford has paused construction on a new $3.5B battery plant in Michigan after backlash from lawmakers over its partnership with Chinese company CATL. Republicans are concerned about potential IP theft and reliance on Chinese battery tech.
President Biden visited a GM plant picket line in Michigan to show solidarity with striking UAW workers. Trump is also visiting the state to criticize the auto industry's shift to EVs.
The UAW strikes could end up benefiting Toyota if inventory of Detroit 3 trucks runs low, since Toyota has resolved supply issues.
EV adoption globally is increasing but experiencing slowdowns in some markets like Europe and South Korea due to high energy costs and economic uncertainty.
The article's author is moving to InsideEVs as editor-in-chief, thanking The Autopian's readers and editors.

theautopian.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/25/2023

Ford Pauses Work on $3.5B Michigan Battery Plant Over Cost and Policy Concerns

9/25/2023

Ford Pauses Michigan Electric Vehicle Battery Plant Amid UAW Tensions

9/27/2023

Tesla Dominates US Electric Vehicle Market, Outselling Next 19 Rivals Combined in First Half of 2023

9/27/2023

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

10/27/2023

Ford Pushes Pause on $12B in EV Factory Spending Amid High Costs and Slowing Demand