The under-construction joint-venture EV battery plant known as BlueOval Battery Park Michigan has long been the subject of much controversy, aside from the mere fact that it will use technology licensed from China’s CATL to produce lithium iron-phosphate batteries when it comes online in 2026. Rather, a group of residents in the surrounding town of Marshall have been fighting the plant for some time now, and though they haven’t had much success in stopping those efforts, a general slowdown in demand has led to a downsizing of that facility. Now, that group of residents have found themselves re-energized following some recent comments from Blue Oval Executive Chairman Bill Ford.
As Ford Authority reported last week, Ford essentially admitted that if the federal tax credit that’s helping fund construction at the BlueOval Battery Park Michigan site is nixed by the Trump administration – a move that would also restrict the use of licensed Chinese technology – it could spell the end for that plant. Turns out, the group of residents known as the Committee for Marshall-Not the Megasite that have opposed it since the very beginning would be quite happy if that scenario plays out, as they explained to Crain’s Detroit Business.
“I’m encouraged that the project could be stopped,” said Marshall Township Treasurer Glenn Kowalske. “It’s going to sound funny because it’s 60 percent complete, right? However, I think right from the beginning … the community really didn’t want this facility. It didn’t want this industrial development. We still don’t want it.” The Committee has tried to challenge the Ford EV plant in various legal ways, but has lost both at trial and in appellate courts, though it current has an appeal pending with the Michigan Supreme Court.
“It certainly is frustrating that so much time, energy and resources (have) been spent using taxpayer dollars to destroy a community like yours for a project that may not even come to fruition.” said the subcommittee’s chair, Rep. Steve Carra. “But I’m encouraged that there’s a chance that it may not come to fruition. I appreciate the hard work that you and everybody else has put into shedding light on what’s going on in your community there.”
Comments
Sorry. Ford will do something with that facility whether it makes batteries or something else. That train left the station a long time ago.
Just another NIMBY group.
Are they willing to give up income tax and SS funded services paid for by highly compensated jobs?????
Possibly an astroturf oil industry effort to slow down EVs.
And they’ll be the first ones to complain and moan that their kids can’t find any decent jobs in the area so they have to move away.
Morons. This plant represents the opportunity to turn the table around relative to West vs. China technology transfer. For decades, the Chinese have been taking western technology, often in violation of international patent laws. The Marshall plant provides the opportunity for Ford and the West to learn/access Chinese expertise.
Frankly, I was looking forward to the opportunity to buy a Mach-e as soon as charging stations solidified (apartment living is problematical) but comments coming out of Ford execs make me wonder if the company even cares. I may be looking at other manufacturers when that time comes.
Sadly Trump will hear about Bill Ford’s comments and will actually cancel any government assistance for the plant. Not to worry as the plant will be used in the future.