Ford Invests $185 Million In New Battery Facility

April 29, 2021
The 200,000-square-foot development will open in late 2022 in southeast Michigan.

April 29, 2021—Ford Motor Co. plans to accelerate battery development by devoting a team of 150 people to a new "Ford Ion Park," which was described by the automaker as a $185 million project focused on technology research—"including the future of battery manufacturing."

A Detroit Free Press report laid out the details of the new project, saying the 200,000-square-foot development will open in late 2022 in southeast Michigan. Ford did not specify a location, nor did it say how many new jobs might be created, the report said.

“It’s always very difficult, especially for incumbent manufacturers, to navigate a disruptive transition," Hau Thai-Tang, chief product platform and operations officer, told reporters. "The clarity that (Ford CEO) Jim Farley has brought as part of this plan is that we will lead this transition from ICE (internal combustion engines) to BEVs (battery electric vehicles). And we will no longer take an approach of hedging our bets and planning around the uncertainty of how fast that will play out."
 

Sponsored Recommendations

How one auto shop was able to order 20% more parts

Learn how one auto shop talks about the benefit of using PartsTech in their shop.

Vehicle Inspection Checklist For Auto Shops

Vehicle inspections, whether digital or on paper, are crucial for auto shops, ensuring thorough assessments and fostering trust by transparently revealing a vehicle's condition...

6 Reasons Why A Digital Vehicle Inspection Is A Must-Have

In an era of growing technology and innovation, auto repair shops must keep pace with the latest advancements to meet customers preferences and remain competitive.

How Your Auto Shop Can Now Connect To 30 Tire Suppliers For Free

Yep! We have over 50 tire suppliers in our network. And PartsTech is the only platform where you can access more than 30 of those suppliers FREE OF CHARGE.