Though EV sales continue to rise, demand for those models hasn’t quite grown at the torrid pace we’ve seen previously over the past several months. As a result, automakers have scaled back their planned investments into electrification, which obviously impacts suppliers as well. One of those suppliers is Ford EV partner SK On, which previously warned that growth in the short term, at least, is slowing down, though it also remains confident that demand for its batteries will continue to grow in the longer term. Now, SK On will apparently shed some jobs in an effort to navigate this lull in demand.
According to Reuters, SK On will introduce voluntary redundancy programs in an effort to trim its workforce and reduce costs amid slowing demand, as well as offer special leave packages for certain workers. “These are proactive measures to establish a lean, agile workforce, so that we can better navigate shifting EV market conditions,” SK On said in a statement. “While the company pushes to improve efficiency and secure grounds for sustainable growth, we are fully committed to supporting the career development of our employees who have contributed to our success in becoming a top-tier battery maker.”
As part of this plan, SK On will offer a voluntary package to employees who agree to leave the company. Workers that joined the company before November 2023 are eligible to receive 50 percent of their salaries if they choose to take advantage of this offer, too. This move comes after SK On posted an operating loss of 460 billion won ($350 million USD) in Q2 2024, higher than the 332 billion won ($252 million USD) loss it recorded in Q1, and the battery maker has yet to post a profit of any kind since it was spun off from parent company SK Innovation back in 2021.
Despite all of this, the future  battery plant known as BlueOval SK – which is part of a joint-venture between Ford and SK On – is still on track to begin building those units in the middle of 2025. However, the next-generation Ford F-150 EV pickup – which will be built at the nearby and also under-construction BlueOval City complex – was recently delayed until 2027.
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What are the best chargers for EV? Cost? I know DTE will give you a rebate. What about the state giving rebates.
I noticed and heard that it takes 12 hours to charge a Mustang E V.?? Does Ford sell EV chargers for home? Is there a big push for design to improve the time it takes to fully charge an EV vehicle?