Ford Motor, in the midst of tense contract negotiations with striking United Automobile Workers, said on Monday that it was suspending construction of a battery factory in Michigan because of concerns that the plant might not be able to make products at a competitive price.
It was unclear whether the halt was related to negotiations with the union, or to other issues.
Ford has come under attack from Republican lawmakers because it plans to manufacture batteries at the plant in Marshall, Mich., using technology licensed from CATL, a Chinese company that is the world’s largest maker of batteries for electric cars.
At the same time, Ford has warned that increases in pay and benefits sought by the U.A.W.
If unions got all that they were asking for, “we would have to cancel our E.V.
Persons:
Ford, Jim Farley
Organizations:
Ford, United Automobile Workers
Locations:
Michigan, Marshall, Mich, CATL