US President Donald Trump not too long ago introduced a raft of latest, costly import tariffs on vehicles, vehicles, and even components and batteries imported into the nation – which implies that Ford might need timed its BlueOval SK battery manufacturing facility logging on completely.
In Washington final week, President Trump rocked the automotive world by by asserting large, 25% duties on vehicles and main automotive parts not manufactured in the USA 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 consultants at SK On, is ultimately anticipated to make use of greater than 7,500 folks in operations roles, churning out greater than 120 gigawatt-hours’ price 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 tug 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 transport 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 value insulation that different EVs in the identical value vary (I’m you, Jeep Wagoneer S) received’t take pleasure in.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E, nevertheless, is one other matter.
Dangerous for Mustang Mach-E
Ford’s different EV, the Mustang Mach-E, is in style sufficient that it’s really 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 seem to be unhealthy information for the Mach-E, however each the electrical Mustang and F-150 have already been in the marketplace for almost 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 Car Heart, and the approaching launch of EV manufacturing at BlueOval Metropolis later this yr, it’s not utterly loopy to suppose that Ford may quickly announce plans to construct an up to date, and even next-generation Mustang Mach-E at considered one of these US services.
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 under to search out 0% financing offers on Ford’s present electrical car 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 prospects shopping for an F-150 Lightning for his or her industrial or public fleet can get even higher offers on the OG electrical vehicles.
Completely satisfied purchasing!
Authentic content material from Electrek; photographs by Ford.
