Ford is said to be in talks with BYD about potentially supplying batteries for its global hybrid vehicles. This is according to a report published by Bloomberg, quoting the Wall Street Journal.
Currently, the American carmaker has been sourcing BYD batteries since 2020 for its joint-venture Chinese factories with Changan. Separately, it also has a battery deal with CATL.
Although no deal is imminent, if it pushes through, BYD will supply high-voltage batteries to power Ford’s hybrid vehicle line-up assembled at its international assembly plants, including those in the United States.
The move immediately drew irk from White House trade adviser Peter Navarro who Tweeted:
“So Ford wants to simultaneously prop up a Chinese competitor’s supply chain and make it more vulnerable to that same supply chain extortion? What could go wrong here?”
Meanwhile, House China Panel Chair John Moolenaar said Ford “should work with our allies, not our adversaries.”
Meanwhile, House China Panel Chair John Moolenaar said Ford “should work with our allies, not our adversaries.”
“If reports that Ford is in discussions to potentially partner with a second Chinese battery company were to come true, it would diminish Ford’s status as an iconic American company,” Moolenaar said in a statement.
BYD overtook Tesla as the world’s biggest seller of EVs last year. Hybrid sales have grown worldwide as the market for pure electric vehicles has slowed. Ford is ramping up hybrid production and has plans to roll out more gasoline-electric models.
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