Ford halts production, shipments of F-150 Lightning over possible battery issue

[icymist]

10. Related article I found in the South Korean paper today:

Korean battery makers to compete with Chinese rivals in US, despite IRA

Ford Motor and China's CATL have thwarted the plans of Korean electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers to dominate the North American market by capitalizing on the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), according to industry officials, Tuesday.

The U.S. carmaker announced, on Monday local time, that it will build a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in the state of Michigan by licensing technologies from the Chinese battery maker, which has the world's largest market share.

Given that the factory will be wholly owned by Ford and the two companies plan to minimize the use of key minerals and components from China, their strategy has enabled the U.S. firm to continue enjoying tax incentives and subsidies in accordance with the IRA, avoiding the Joe Biden administration's attempt to exclude Chinese battery makers from the U.S. market.

"Under the arrangement, Ford's wholly owned subsidiary would manufacture the battery cells using LFP battery cell knowledge and services provided by CATL," Ford said in a press release. "This new agreement with CATL adds to Ford's existing battery capacity and available battery technology made possible through a series of key collaborations ― including with SK On and LG Energy Solution (LGES)."

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2023/02/419_345388.html