9/26/23 - Ford Decides To Hold Off On A New EV Plant

Ford announces that they will temporarily halt the development of a new EV plant in Marshall.

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. Says they are "pausing work on a large electric vehicle battery plant in Marshall. 

They told media yesterday that, “We’re pausing work and limiting spending on construction on the Marshall site, effective today, until we’re confident about our ability to competitively operate the plant." "We haven’t made any final decision about the planned investment there." 

They said there were several factors that led to the decision and that they will pause work and limit spending on the project until the company is confident that the plant will run competitively.  

When Ford announced plans for the plant they said they would be investing $3.5 billion and the project would create some 2,500 jobs at the site located outside of Marshall.  

 The state agreed to provide them a combined $1.7 billion in public subsidies.   

The pause comes as the UAW continues their strike against the big three major automakers.                                                                                         The UAW expanded the strike on Friday. Ford was the only company that did not get hit with additional strike targets because some progress was made with Ford during their negotiations.  

 Many in the Marshall area have voiced opposition to the plant being built in their area.