It wasn’t that long ago that Ford had big EV ambitions that included erecting multiple plants, though things have changed quite a bit in recent months. The Blue Oval has since dialed back around $12 billion in planned EV investments, shifting its focus to cheaper models, delaying other planned launches, and scaling back its planned output at future facilities like BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, where it plans to license lithium-iron phosphate battery technology from China-based CATL. That same facility has long been under fire from local residents and lawmakers concerned about CATL’s involvement in such a deal, though Ford has remained adamant that it’s merely licensing technology, and that CATL will not have any other influence on the plant or its products, though it could receive some tax credits. Regardless, it seems as if CATL is now looking at licensing its technology to other companies as well, according to the Wall Street Journal.
According to this new report, CATL is in talks with Tesla and and a handful of other, unnamed automakers as it’s apparently aiming to license its battery technology to more entities than just Ford. This move comes as the world’s largest EV battery manufacturer has also reportedly ditched plans to build a production facility of its own in the U.S. as well.
As far as what any potential deal might entail, nothing has reportedly been set in stone yet, though it’s likely that CATL is eyeing something similar to its existing agreement with Ford. CATL has been negotiating with Tesla for some time as it aims to supply both faster-charging batteries and machinery for the automaker’s Nevada-based plant.
Amid growing tensions between the U.S. and China – especially in regards to EVs and the latter’s potential infiltration of the American car market – even Chinese President Xi Jinping recently told CATL leadership that he’s somewhat worried about the company’s status as the world’s leading EV battery marker, as it currently commands a significant 37 percent of that market.
We’ll have more on CATL and BlueOval Battery Park Michigan soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
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