The world’s largest automakers continue to invest in the future of electric vehicles (EVs). But before we discuss the latest investment, a key development in the United Auto Workers (UAW) debate in the US came to light this week. CNBC reported on the grandson of the legendary Henry Ford in a piece x1 “In a rare move, Ford’s executive chairman is urging the UAW to cut a deal and end acrimonious negotiations.”
Henry Ford’s grandson is current Ford executive Bill Ford.
On October 16, 2023, he spoke at an important event for the auto industry at the Rouge Visitor Center in Dearborn, Michigan, where he outlined Ford’s position on the stalled progress in negotiations between Ford and the UAW.
His remarks resonated throughout the industry:
Read more about Ford’s arguments in favor of EVs below.
Ford has come under fire for its ties to CATL at an electric vehicle plant in Michigan.
CNBC’s report revealed that the U.S. government is set to review legendary American automaker Ford’s licensing deal with Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery maker CATL. The terms of the $3.5 billion deal were originally announced on February 13, 2023 on x3. Watch the interview with Ford CEO Jim Farley via links on CNBC.
According to comments from Ford’s vice president of EV industrialization Lisa Drake, it’s clear that Ford’s place in the future of batteries and EV technology is not only tied to the nascent construction of gigafactories, but also to an emerging area of battery technology called lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP). Phosphate is a mineral that is mined as a natural resource and then sold as a global commodity, particularly for fertilizer and other agricultural products.
But this story is tied to intense competition in the industry between other major players like Tesla and Stellantis, whose executives proudly claim they have the most advantages to seek partnerships in the future trends of batteries, electrification, mining and mobility.
That’s a lot to say, but I’ll say it again: Trends in batteries, electrification, mining and mobility form a coherent picture at the intersection of global commodity markets and the energy transition fueling – or should I say electrifying – the EV revolution.
Read more about Stellantis’ case for EVs below.
Stellantis’ global market strategy is under a lot of pressure due to UAW union strikes.
According to one of CNBC’s latest reports, Stellantis may be forced to close 18 manufacturing plants in the U.S. as a result of ongoing negotiations with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union.
Not surprisingly, UAW union members are strongly opposing the move, which Stellantis believes will allow more investment in modernization plans. For example, the company’s parts and distribution network is envisioned as a “mega-hub” for future North American operations.
It’s a classic conceptualization exercise. In order to maintain its leading position in the global market, Stellantis wants to develop new concepts for the production and distribution of its vehicle lineup for both North American and global customers. This modernization is related to the distribution of vehicle components and parts, but it is also part of the company’s push into global markets.
In addition, on September 10, 2023, Saudi Aramco and Stellantis announced an agreement to jointly develop e-fuel solutions for the automotive industry.
The use of e-fuel in automobiles reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional fuels. This is part of Saudi Aramco’s strategy to produce lower carbon synthetic fuels for light-duty passenger vehicles.
These business agreements have a significant impact on how producers view geopolitical trends. For example, one of the key challenges for Saudi Aramco is how it will balance its most important partners, such as France and the US, with its most important customers, such as China.
But it is also part of the Dare Forward 2030 vision that Stellantis has been pushing since the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to advance its strategy in the global market and become a leading supplier of electric vehicles.
Read more about the latest trends in the global EV market in the publication “Areas and Manufacturers”.
Read more / Original news source: https://manipurhub.com/electric-vehicle-news-ford-and-stellantis-negotiations-with-the-uaw-are-heating-up-47/