Ford wants to produce its own batteries
Ford recently changed bosses, and Jim Farley, CEO of the group, is now thinking of internalizing the production of batteries for electric vehicles, following the model of certain competitors. U...
16/04/2022
Ford recently changed bosses, and Jim Farley, CEO of the group, is now thinking of internalizing the production of batteries for electric vehicles, following the model of certain competitors. An idea that was not really considered by its predecessor.
For the moment, Ford buys its batteries from major Asian specialists in the field. But for how long ? The international crisis seemed to push political and industrial powers to try to recentralize everything. In particular when there are added phenomena of dangerous dependencies leading to shortages: batteries and semiconductors.
Precisely, Ford announced the creation of a "center of excellence" for the development of batteries. This center, which will be located in the historic core of Ford, in Michigan, will thus be used to prepare the battery packs that will be produced and used internally by Ford. But all this still seems a long way off: the opening of the center is scheduled for 2022, so the first batteries should not see the light of day for a good number of years.
For Ford, it is in any case a reversal of the situation, since the former boss, Jim Hackett, said he was opposed to the development and internal production of batteries at Ford. But since the entire industry now seems to want to control everything (including batteries, therefore,), Ford sees itself badly, now, continuing to depend on third-party suppliers.