US President Donald Trump not too long ago introduced a raft of recent, costly import tariffs on vehicles, vans, and even components and batteries imported into the nation – which implies that Ford might need timed its BlueOval SK battery manufacturing unit logging on completely.
In Washington final week, President Trump rocked the automotive world by by asserting enormous, 25% duties on vehicles and main automotive parts not manufactured in the US starting April 2nd.
Over in Kentucky, the BlueOval SK factories, a part of a $9.63 billion three way partnership (JV) between Ford and the South Korean battery specialists at SK On, is finally anticipated to make use of greater than 7,500 individuals in operations roles, churning out greater than 120 gigawatt-hours’ value of battery capability per yr as soon as totally operational. And, crucially, they’re anticipated to go surfing “on the finish of Q1.”
In different phrases: like, proper now.
Good for F-150 Lightning
Automakers and automotive sellers alike are scrambling to know what the brand new Trump tariffs will imply for the market, however some automakers may see the brand new tariffs as a chance to drag forward of the competitors – and that’s very true of corporations which have invested billions in US manufacturing.
Ford is a kind of corporations, and the newly unionized BlueOval SK battery factories ought to start delivery batteries to the Dearborn, Michigan facility that manufactures the F-150 Lightning any day now. That transfer ought to give the electrical F-series some worth insulation that different EVs in the identical worth vary (I’m taking a look at you, Jeep Wagoneer S) received’t take pleasure in.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E, nonetheless, is one other matter.
Dangerous for Mustang Mach-E
Ford’s different EV, the Mustang Mach-E, is well-liked sufficient that it’s truly outselling the gas-powered Mustang, however it’s misplaced a few of its early luster and market share to different glorious, newer sporty electrical crossovers just like the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Honda Prologue, and Porsche Macan EV.
This may appear to be unhealthy information for the Mach-E, however each the electrical Mustang and F-150 have already been in the marketplace for practically 5 years – and that’s with minimal upgrades or aesthetic updates outdoors of an off-road-focused Rally package deal (proven, above, tearing up the snow in Norway).
Given the excess manufacturing capability at Ford’s Rouge Electrical Automobile Middle, and the upcoming launch of EV manufacturing at BlueOval Metropolis later this yr, it’s not utterly loopy to assume that Ford may quickly announce plans to construct an up to date, and even next-generation Mustang Mach-E at one among these US amenities.
How good would their timing be on that!?
Whereas you consider the way you’re going to reply that query within the feedback part, use the hyperlinks beneath to search out 0% financing offers on Ford’s present electrical automobile lineup earlier than the April 2nd day of automotive reckoning. Ford additionally introduced a 0% financing deal plus $4,000 in bonus money on the F-150 Lightning pickup, whereas Ford Professional clients shopping for an F-150 Lightning for his or her business or public fleet can get even higher offers on the OG electrical vans.
Glad purchasing!
Unique content material from Electrek; photographs by Ford.
