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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Ford Plans Marshall, Michigan, LFP Battery Plant

02/14/2023
Ford plans to establish a LFP battery plant in Marshall, Michigan. The $3.5 billion project is expected to create 2,500 jobs.

BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, which will be part of a wholly owned Ford subsidiary, will offer customers a second battery technology within Ford’s EV lineup, according to company officials. Operations are scheduled for 2026.

“Ford’s electric vehicle lineup has generated huge demand. To get as many Ford EVs to customers as possible, we’re the first automaker to commit to build both NCM and LFP batteries in the United States,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “We’re delivering on our commitments as we scale LFP and NCM batteries and thousands, and soon millions, of customers will begin to reap the benefits of Ford EVs with cutting-edge, durable battery technologies that are growing more affordable over time.”

To assist with the project the Michigan Strategic Fund approved a Critical Industry Program (CIP) through Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund (SOAR) of $100.8 million. Additionally MSF approved a State Essential Services Assessment (State ESA) Exemption of $34.4 million.

“Ford’s decision underscores the continuing vitality of our state’s EV and mobility sector. Through a bipartisan and pragmatic approach, Team Michigan demonstrated again its commitment to winning the future of mobility and EV manufacturing here in Michigan,” noted MEDC CEO and Michigan Strategic Fund President and Chair Quentin Messer Jr. “Michigan is competing aggressively to win every EV and mobility investment. We appreciate and are grateful for Ford’s continued vote of confidence in Michigan and their partnership on this economic win that will positively impact Michiganders across our state for decades to come.”?

Under the arrangement, Ford’s wholly owned subsidiary would manufacture the battery cells using LFP battery cell knowledge and services provided by CATL, which has operated 13 plants in Europe and Asia. This new agreement with CATL adds to Ford’s existing battery capacity and available battery technology made possible through a series of key collaborations including with SK On and LG Energy Solution.

“On behalf of the County of Monroe, we are excited to have another Ford facility here in Monroe County. We appreciate this significant capital investment and the new jobs it will bring to the area and look forward to continuing this long-lasting relationship,” added Tim Lake, president and CEO of the Monroe County Business Development Corporation.

Ford is working to deliver an annual run rate of 600,000 electric vehicles globally by the end of this year and 2 million globally by the end of 2026 as part of its Ford+ plan.

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