US President Donald Trump just lately introduced a raft of recent, costly import tariffs on vehicles, vehicles, and even components and batteries imported into the nation – which signifies that Ford may need timed its BlueOval SK battery manufacturing facility going surfing completely.
In Washington final week, President Trump rocked the automotive world by by asserting large, 25% duties on vehicles and main automotive elements not manufactured in america 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 ultimately anticipated to make use of greater than 7,500 folks in operations roles, churning out greater than 120 gigawatt-hours’ value of battery capability per 12 months as soon as absolutely 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 automobile sellers alike are scrambling to grasp 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 firms which have invested billions in US manufacturing.
Ford is a type of firms, 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 value insulation that different EVs in the identical value vary (I’m you, Jeep Wagoneer S) gained’t take pleasure in.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E, nevertheless, is one other matter.
Unhealthy for Mustang Mach-E
Ford’s different EV, the Mustang Mach-E, is in style 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 wonderful, newer sporty electrical crossovers just like the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Honda Prologue, and Porsche Macan EV.
This may look like unhealthy information for the Mach-E, however each the electrical Mustang and F-150 have already been available on the market for practically 5 years – and that’s with minimal upgrades or aesthetic updates exterior of an off-road-focused Rally bundle (proven, above, tearing up the snow in Norway).
Given the excess manufacturing capability at Ford’s Rouge Electrical Car Middle, and the approaching launch of EV manufacturing at BlueOval Metropolis later this 12 months, it’s not fully loopy to assume that Ford may quickly announce plans to construct an up to date, and even next-generation Mustang Mach-E at one in every 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 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 vehicles.
Blissful purchasing!
Unique content material from Electrek; photographs by Ford.
FTC: We use revenue incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. Extra.
