 electric vehicle battery plant in the US amid a high profile dispute with unions over pay and job security. The motor giant said it had halted works on the factory in Michigan and limited spending on it until it is confident it can be run competitively. The site had been expected to start making batteries in 2026, which would have supplied cells for 400,000 vehicles per year. Unions called the move 'a shameful, barely-veiled threat by Ford to cut jobs' at a plant that is not open yet. Earlier this month, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union began strike action against Ford and the other two of the 'Big Three' Detroit car makers – General Motors and Chrysler-owner Stellantis. Unions are striking over pay, job security and benefits. As well as cost of living considerations, workers are concerned that the shift to electric cars will lead to job losses . Electric vehicles (EVs) have fewer moving parts and therefore require fewer people to assemble them. Strike expansion The UAW at first targeted one vehicle assembly plant from each manufacturer, and last week expanded it to parts warehouses. Ford was spared from the expansion because the union said progress was being made in negotiations. The carmaker is in the midst of national contract talks with the UAW, which wants to represent workers at battery factories. Leading EV manufacturers in China and Tesla are non-unionised, meaning they typically drive down costs more than unionised factories. In February, Ford announced plans to build its battery plant in Marshall, Michigan, employing about 2,500 workers to make lower-cost batteries for a variety of new and existing vehicles. Marshall is about 100 miles (160 kilometres) west of Detroit and is near two major interstate highways. Viability considerations Confirming the suspension of works, Ford spokesman TR Reid said: 'There are a number of considerations. We haven't made any final decision about the planned investment){kind=link}
Carmaker is reviewing the new Michigan plant’s competitiveness
Ford will pause the construction of a $3.5bn (£2.9bn) electric vehicle battery plant in the US amid a high profile dispute with unions over pay and job security.
The motor giant said it had halted works on the factory in Michigan and limited spending on it until it is confident it can be run competitively.
The site had been expected to start making batteries in 2026, which would have supplied cells for 400,000 vehicles per year.
Unions called the move “a shameful, barely-veiled threat by Ford to cut jobs” at a plant that is not open yet.