- Future Ford hybrids may use batteries from Chinese giant BYD.
- The automaker is reportedly planning to import BYD batteries for its models made abroad.
- In the United States, Ford’s electric vehicle plans took a step back last year after tax breaks ended.
Ford It wants to boost its hybrid lineup in the U.S. and abroad amid falling electric vehicle sales. To take this strategy further, the automaker will reportedly take help from the world’s largest automaker.
The Dearborn automaker is in talks with BYD to potentially purchase lithium-ion battery packs for its upcoming hybrid cars Wall Street Journal He was quoted as saying on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter. Ford did not confirm or deny the report. “We’re talking to a lot of companies about a lot of things,” a Ford spokesman said. Wall Street Journal.
What’s not clear about BYD is that it’s not just a huge automaker; It is also one of the largest battery manufacturers in the world. BYD already supplies low-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to Tesla, excellent, Mercedes Benz and Toyotamainly for some of their electric vehicles sold in Europe and China.
Battery deployments worldwide rose 31.3% between January and November last year to 133.4 gigawatt-hours, trailing only CATL, according to Korea’s SNE Research.
Exactly what the Ford deal would look like is unclear, but one possible outcome could be Ford importing BYD batteries for its electric vehicles made abroad, according to the report. Electric vehicles and batteries made in China are essentially banned from entering the United States due to high tariffs.
The automaker plans to build A hybrid version of the Bronco in Spain in 2027But it is unclear whether this model will have BYD batteries. In the United States, Ford ended production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning last year and halted production plans for its electric successor. It booked a $19 billion charge because it canceled its electric vehicle plans.
Instead, the automaker Next generation F-150 Lightning It will be an extended range vehicle (EREV). The automaker’s Maverick and F-150 Hybrids are a hit in 2025 with… Sales history. If the BYD deal goes through — there’s a chance it won’t — it will be Ford’s second major partnership with a Chinese giant.
2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX
Photo by: Ford
The company already plans to roll out low-cost LFP batteries in the US from BlueOval Battery Park in Michigan, and license the technology from CATL. These batteries will be used in its upcoming electric truck, which costs $30,000.
Ford has previously used BYD batteries in some of its models sold in China with joint venture partner Changan, so the new deal is not unfamiliar territory for the brand. What remains to be seen is whether Ford plans to use these packages for conventional hybrids, PHEVs, or EREVs.
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