Ford and SK On are ending their U.S. battery joint venture https://t.co/AEHFjJWC2W ...

Core Insights - Ford and SK On have agreed to end their joint venture, which was initially established to invest $11.4 billion in battery production for electric vehicles [1][2] - Ford will take ownership of the battery plants in Kentucky, while SK On will operate the factory in Tennessee, maintaining a strategic partnership focused on the Tennessee facility [2] Industry Context - The joint venture was formed during a period of significant investment in electric vehicle production, but demand has not met the industry's high expectations [3] - The cessation of the federal EV tax credit has negatively impacted electric vehicle sales, contributing to the decision to dissolve the joint venture [3]

Core Viewpoint - Major automakers are urging the U.S. government to block Chinese government-backed automakers and battery manufacturers from establishing manufacturing plants in the United States, citing potential threats to national security and competition in the automotive industry [1] Group 1: Industry Concerns - The automotive industry is concerned about the implications of allowing Chinese-backed companies to enter the U.S. market, which could lead to increased competition and potential job losses [1] - Automakers warn that the entry of these companies could undermine the domestic manufacturing base and hinder innovation within the U.S. automotive sector [1] Group 2: Government Action - Major automakers are calling for immediate action from Washington to prevent the establishment of manufacturing plants by these foreign entities [1] - The request highlights the need for regulatory measures to protect the interests of U.S. manufacturers and ensure fair competition [1]

Ford and South Korea’s SK Innovation will break up their US battery-making venture https://t.co/FctZXAuGnR ...

Core Insights - Ford Motor Co. and SK On have decided to terminate their EV battery manufacturing partnership due to challenges in the electric vehicle market, including regulatory changes and declining demand [1][2][3] Company Developments - SK On will shift its focus towards Energy Storage Systems and has announced changes in ownership of the battery plants, with Ford taking full ownership of the Kentucky plant and SK On assuming control of the Tennessee plant [2][3] - The partnership, known as BlueOval SK, had involved significant investments, totaling approximately $11.4 billion, primarily for the $5 billion Kentucky plant, which was producing batteries for the F-150 Lightning EV Pickup Truck [4] Market Context - The decision to end the partnership aligns with a broader strategy to reduce debt and enhance profitability, as SK On has reported multi-million dollar losses amid falling EV demand [3] - Ford's EV sales have seen a drastic decline, with a reported 60% drop in November, raising concerns about the viability of ongoing EV projects [4] Regulatory Environment - Recent regulatory changes, including the rollback of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards by President Trump, have contributed to the challenges faced by the EV sector [5] - Ford's CEO, Jim Farley, has expressed a commitment to EVs despite these challenges, emphasizing the importance of remaining competitive in the global market [6]

Core Viewpoint - SK On has decided to terminate its joint battery factory venture with Ford in the United States, leading to independent operations for both companies [1][2]. Group 1: Company Actions - SK On's parent company, SK Innovation, announced that both companies will independently own and operate the production facilities of the joint venture [1][2]. - A subsidiary of Ford will fully own the battery factory in Kentucky, while SK On will fully own and operate the battery factory in Tennessee [1][2]. Group 2: Investment Background - In 2022, SK On and Ford announced a joint investment of $11.4 billion to establish the battery factory in the United States [1][2].

Core Viewpoint - SK On has decided to terminate its joint venture with Ford Motor for two battery factories in the United States [1] Company Summary - SK On is a South Korean battery manufacturer [1] - The joint venture with Ford was focused on establishing battery production facilities in the U.S. [1] Industry Summary - The decision reflects a significant shift in the electric vehicle battery manufacturing landscape [1] - The termination of the joint venture may impact the supply chain and production capabilities for electric vehicle batteries in the U.S. [1]

Core Viewpoint - The strategic partnership between Renault and Ford marks a significant response to the accelerating transformation and intensifying competition in the global automotive industry, focusing on collaboration as a means of survival and growth [3][5]. Group 1: Strategic Collaboration - Renault and Ford's collaboration involves comprehensive and deep cooperation in both passenger and commercial vehicle sectors, aiming to enhance product competitiveness in a sluggish global commercial vehicle market [5]. - The partnership includes a written agreement for joint development and production of specific light commercial vehicles under both Renault and Ford brands, leveraging Renault's channel advantages in Europe and Ford's engineering expertise in North America [5]. - In the competitive passenger vehicle market, the two companies will jointly develop a Ford-branded electric vehicle, with production handled by Renault's ElectriCity plant in northern France [6]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Cost Efficiency - The collaboration is expected to reduce R&D costs by 30% and shorten the new vehicle launch cycle by 25%, optimizing cost structures in response to stringent European emission standards and electric vehicle subsidy policies [6]. - The partnership adopts a "technology sharing + brand independence" model, allowing both companies to avoid large capital investments in joint ventures while achieving cooperation through shared technology and complementary strengths [7]. Group 3: Industry Trends and Future Implications - The Renault-Ford partnership reflects a shift in the automotive industry towards "core technology sharing" rather than exclusive proprietary technology platforms, indicating a potential evolution of electric vehicle platforms into open ecosystems [8]. - The collaboration highlights the need for targeted vehicle development based on regional market demands, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to accommodate diverse consumer habits and regulatory environments [8]. - The partnership signifies a transition from zero-sum competition to a symbiotic relationship among automakers, emphasizing the importance of strategic cooperation in navigating the challenges of electrification and market slowdowns [9].

Core Viewpoint - Renault Group and Ford Motor Company have officially announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop two affordable electric vehicle models for the European market, aiming to reduce costs and address increasing competition [1] Group 1: Strategic Collaboration - The collaboration focuses on the electrification transition and product layout in the European market, with both companies set to launch two new Ford-branded electric vehicles based on Renault's Ampere platform, produced in the ElectriCity facility in northern France [2] - The new models will be small, affordable electric vehicles, with the first expected to hit the European market in early 2028, filling a gap in Ford's electric vehicle offerings in Europe while maximizing Renault's platform capacity [2] Group 2: Commercial Vehicle Development - In addition to passenger vehicles, the two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore joint development and production of specific light commercial vehicles under both Renault and Ford brands [3] - Historically, Renault has partnered with Nissan and Daimler, while Ford's previous collaborations in Europe were primarily with Volkswagen, focusing on mid-sized and larger electric vehicles [3] Group 3: Market Challenges - Both companies face significant challenges in the European market, with Renault reporting a revenue of €27.6 billion in the first half of 2025, a 2.5% increase, but a net loss of €11.143 billion, largely due to a €9.3 billion impairment on its Nissan stake [7] - Ford's market share in Europe has declined from over 10% in the 1990s to 4% in 2023, with a reported market share of 3.3% for the first ten months of 2025 [9] - The collaboration is seen as a necessary step for both companies to share resources, reduce transformation costs, and strengthen their positions in the competitive European market [9]

RT Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt)Ford was the most recalled automaker in the US in 2025 so far, while @Tesla was one of the least.Total recalls (including physical & software update recalls):• Ford: 143• FCA: 48• GM: 26• VW: 23• BMW: 20• Honda: 19• Hyundai: 19• Mercedes: 18• Toyota: 13• Kia: 12• Tesla: 11• Nissan: 9• Volvo: 8• Rivian: 6• Lucid: 3(all automakers aren't in the pie chart below due to a bug on the NHTSA's website) ...