Ford Halts Construction of U.S. EV Battery Plant Using CATL Technology

Automaker didn’t give a specific reason for the suspension, saying only there were ‘a number of considerations’

Ford Motor is pausing construction of the Michigan plant just eight months after the investment was announced. Photo: VCG

Ford Motor Co. said Monday it was suspending construction of its $3.5 billion electric-vehicle (EV) battery plant in the U.S. midwestern state of Michigan, where it had planned to manufacture batteries using technology licensed from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL).

“We’re pausing work and limiting spending on construction on the Marshall project until we’re confident about our ability to competitively operate the plant,” Ford spokesperson T.R. Reid said in a statement emailed to Caixin.

“There are a number of considerations. We haven’t been specific about what they are, nor made any final decision about the planned investment there,” Reid said. CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, did not respond to Caixin’s request for comment as of publication time. The suspension of the EV plant was first reported by The Detroit News.

Ford has been facing difficulties with unions and U.S. legislators. The carmaker has been locked in contract negotiations with the United Auto Workers union, whose members went on strike against the company, General Motors Co. and Stellantis NV — known as the Detroit Three — on Sept. 15.