'Upset' Ford hits back at US transport secretary; says: Your letter is factually wrong
In a recent statement, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy encouraged Ford to cut its partnership with CATL and Geely. He voiced significant worries regarding Ford's increasing reliance on strategic rivals. However, Ford dismissed these concerns as a mere publicity stunt, emphasizing its commitment to American investments and the operation of its Michigan battery facility, which provides…
On September 8th, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to Ford, urging the company to sever ties with CATL and Geely. The letter expressed deep concern over Ford's partnership with Geely at its Spanish plant in Valencia, claiming Ford was failing to act as a reliable partner. The letter also criticized Ford's decision to continue manufacturing some Lincolns in China until 2030 and its technology licensing deal with CATL, which produces lithium iron phosphate batteries at a plant in Michigan.
Duffy accused Ford of continuing to rely on licensed technology from the Chinese battery manufacturer CATL, specifically at the BlueOval Battery Park facility in Marshall, Michigan. Ford, however, dismissed the letter as a "wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines," stating that they are investing in building batteries in America, unlike others who continue to import Chinese batteries.
Ford emphasized that the CATL arrangement is a limited technology-licensing and services agreement, not a joint venture or foreign-owned manufacturing operation.
The White House had previously praised the battery plant in a press release, further highlighting Ford's commitment to American manufacturing. Ford also pointed out that the letter contained factual errors, noting that they have not proposed a joint-venture framework and that they are working productively with the administration on trade, emissions standards, and bringing manufacturing back to America.
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