Ford CEO Jim Farley broadcasts at a press convention that Ford Motor Firm will likely be partnering with the worlds largest battery firm, a China-based firm referred to as Up to date Amperex Expertise, to create an electric-vehicle battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, on February 13, 2023 in Romulus, Michigan.
Invoice Pugliano | Getty Photos Information | Getty Photos
DETROIT — Ford Motor is suspending manufacturing of its electrical F-150 Lightning pickup for one more week following a battery difficulty that resulted in one of many vehicles catching fire early this month.
Ford mentioned Friday its battery provider, SK, has began constructing battery cells once more at a plant in Georgia however it’s going to take time “to make sure they’re again to constructing high-quality cells and to ship them to the Lightning manufacturing line.”
“The groups labored shortly to determine the basis reason for the difficulty,” Ford mentioned in an announcement Friday. “We agree with SK’s really useful modifications of their tools and processes for SK’s cell manufacturing strains.”
Ford final week mentioned it anticipated Lightning manufacturing to be down by not less than this week, as engineers decided the root cause of the battery issue and carried out enhancements to the manufacturing course of.
The fireplace occurred Feb. 4 in a holding lot throughout a pre-delivery high quality verify whereas the automobile was charging. Days later, Ford suspended manufacturing and issued a stop-shipment of the autos to sellers. Ford mentioned engineers decided there was no proof of a charging fault.
Ford mentioned it isn’t conscious of any incidents of this difficulty in autos which have already been delivered to clients and sellers.
The F-150 Lightning is being intently watched by buyers, because it’s the primary mainstream electrical pickup truck in the marketplace and a serious launch for Ford.
The battery difficulty provides to ongoing “execution issues” detailed to buyers earlier this month by Ford CEO Jim Farley that crippled the automaker’s fourth-quarter earnings.
