Ford is considering another new alliance that would change the direction of its hybrid vehicle plans. Chinese automotive partner: Ford’ in early discussions’ with BYD over hybrid batteries. The Detroit automaker reportedly is in talks with Chinese automotive giant BYD regarding sourcing batteries for its upcoming hybrid models, and it also plans to base its very own rickety four-cylinder 4. The potential partnership arrives at a critical time, as automakers around the world recalibrate their electric vehicle aspirations and pivot to more pragmatic solutions.
Ford is considering buying batteries for vehicles it plans to produce at non-U.S. facilities from BYD, according to several reports. No formal deal has been reached, and both sides are still in exploratory negotiations. Even so, the potential marks a significant change in Ford’s long-term approach.
The talks reflect broader turmoil in the EV market. Consumer appetite for fully electric vehicles has cooled in many regions. Meanwhile, hybrids have taken off. But with costs rising, competition heating up and incentives uncertain, Ford is pulling back on several all-electric projects. That’s in sharp contrast to the company that announced a massive financial writedown and shelved electric-vehicle efforts it had once planned, i.e., GM from December ’19, which has since been making very different plans.
A deal with BYD would provide Ford with a vital lifeline. The Chinese automaker is not only one of the world’s largest vehicle producers but also a major player in battery technology. BYD manufactures advanced, affordable chassis and power products used by many of the world’s best-known brands. Having access to that supply chain would allow Ford to cut costs and accelerate hybrid production without a significant new investment.
Details of the deals have not been confirmed by either company. Ford issued a cautionary statement that it routinely talks to many companies about possible partnerships. BYD has not publicly replied to the reports.
The concept has already set off political debate. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro lambasted the idea on social media, asserting that greater dependence on Chinese suppliers could leave American businesses economically weaker. His comments also highlight the geopolitical sensitivities surrounding US–China corporate collaboration.
At the same time, BYD is expanding worldwide. The company has also been rapidly building factories across Europe and South America and recently overtook Tesla as the world’s best-selling electric vehicle maker. The company does not currently have a plant in the United States. Still, President Donald Trump said this week that Chinese car companies would be “treated much differently” when seeking to invest in US manufacturing, so long as they create American jobs.
For Ford, the calculus is growing more pragmatic. The in-betweener Hybrids have blossomed as a transitional technology, providing efficiency without all the baggage of range anxiety or charging infrastructure that comes with full EVs. Having a reliable battery partner is also crucial for quickly scaling that segment.
Analysts who cover the industry think the potential tie-up makes sense. BYD offers technology and cost; Ford has established distribution networks and a powerful worldwide brand. Combined, they should be able to better meet the rising demand for hybrids in markets where electric-car adoption has been slower to take off.
Still, the result is not guaranteed. Negotiations are still underway, and insiders cautioned that a deal may never happen. But even the conversations themselves demonstrate just how much the automotive landscape is changing.
With enthusiasm for pure electric vehicles ebbing from its earlier peak, the hoary automakers are looking for firmer ground. For Ford, that ground may well be covered in hybrid power — and driven by batteries built in China.
For more information & News related to the Ford & BYD Partnership, please visit The Wall Street Journal.
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