Ford Battery Factory In Michigan Fights For Survival - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the challenges facing Ford’s new battery factory in Marshall, Michigan, amid shifting political dynamics in the U.S. auto industry. Michigan, long considered the heart of American automotive manufacturing, is central to the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, with battery factories crucial for producing affordable EVs and sustaining thousands of jobs. The Biden administration’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentivized domestic battery manufacturing through financial rewards rather than mandates, aiming to encourage companies like Ford to build critical EV infrastructure. However, despite adopting a strategy traditionally favored by conservatives—using incentives rather than mandates—the IRA faced fierce Republican opposition, especially after they regained control of Congress. Ford’s Marshall factory, about 60% complete and already producing prototype lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells, is at risk due to potential repeal of IRA incentives and growing anti-China sentiment within the Republican Party. The factory’s partnership with CATL, a leading Chinese battery manufacturer, has sparked political concerns. To address this,