Though it remains on track to begin producing lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in 2026, the Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan plant has faced its fair share of controversy, not only from the surrounding community, but also, due to the fact that it will license technology from China-based CATL to do so. However, Ford is also facing another big issue at the moment – efforts by lawmakers to end the federal EV tax credit, which Executive Chairman Bill Ford recently admitted might spell the end of that effort altogether. At the same time, a familiar threat has emerged in the form of one of Ford’s chief rivals as well.
That threat is General Motors, according to Crain’s Detroit Business, which reports that the cross-town rival of Ford is behind lobbying efforts aimed at placing tougher rules on “foreign entities of concern,” as well as targeting licensing agreements such as the one The Blue Oval has in place with CATL. “We do know that others in our industry are trying to submarine it to hurt us,” Bill Ford said. “That’s just sour grapes, frankly. To GM, it’s nothing personal; just a bid to shore up its own business strategies.”
Bill Ford stopped short of naming GM as the driving force behind these efforts, but a source within the latter stated that the lobbying is aimed at “ensuring a level playing field” in the industry. Additionally, GM declined to comment on its specific lobbying efforts. “GM has been investing in a resilient critical minerals and battery supply chain to support American innovation, manufacturing and economic security,” GM spokeswoman Liz Winter said in an email to Crain’s.
Interestingly, GM previously explored a very similar deal with CATL, which would have enabled it to use the Chinese company’s battery technology in a plant that was slated to be built in Illinois, but those efforts were scrapped in 2023 following political backlash against Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan – a matter that GM also opted not to comment on for this report.
Comments
If GM is concerned about the Chinese so much, the should stop importing the Buick envision TODAY
Seems like an individual is also concerned about the Chinese.
If Detroit is worried about the Chinese so much, they should start building small EVs TODAY.
That’s good, but what if the market is not there?
I believe the need for the lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries will continue. It may slow down a bit, but eventually we will get back on it with both feet. In other words, everything will turn around and it will show that Mr. Ford was right to continue the completion of the plant.