Ford, SK On Co., Ltd. and Koç Holding have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding for a new, industry-leading joint venture business in Turkey– subject to progression to a firm commitment from the three partners – that would lead to the creation of one of the largest commercial vehicle electric battery facilities in the European wider region.
“At Ford, we are continuing to ramp up our actions to accelerate and lead the electrification revolution as we continue to create a carbon neutral business and also building on our strength as Europe’s leading commercial vehicle brand through our new Ford Pro vehicle services and distribution business,” said Stuart Rowley, chair, Ford of Europe.
Separate within Ford and unique among automakers, Ford Pro is a major result of the Ford+ plan for growth and value creation based on enduring, always-on customer relationships. The company anticipates its growing capabilities and appeal to generate $45 billion in revenue from hardware and adjacent and new services by 2025 – up from $27 billion in 2019.
In Europe, Ford’s commercial vehicle business goes from strength to strength. In 2021, Ford was Europe’s top-selling commercial vehicle brand for the seventh successive year, and best-selling brand in nine markets, including the United Kingdom where the Ford Transit Custom was ranked No.1 in the sales charts ahead of any other passenger or commercial vehicle. In the next few months, Ford will start customer deliveries across Europe of its first all-electric commercial vehicle, the E-Transit.
“This proposed new battery joint venture is a prime example of how we are leveraging strategic partnerships to strengthen our business. It is also the first in a number of significant electrification and commercial vehicle announcements we will make this year as part of the ongoing redesign of our operations to create a leaner, stronger and sustainable all-electric Ford business in Europe,” said Rowley.
The joint venture would be located on a site near Ankara and will manufacture high Nickel NMC cells for assembly into battery array modules. Production is intended to start as early as mid-decade with an annual capacity likely to be in the range of 30 to 45 Gigawatt hours.
“Following the BlueOval SK cooperation in North America with Ford, we are delighted to be collaborating in Europe, and look forward to contributing to Ford’s electrification growth strategy and further solving the global carbon reduction problem through the growth of the EV industry. In addition, the new joint venture will become a company that grows together with the Turkish community,” said Dong Seob Jee, CEO, SK On Co., Ltd.
The investment the three partners are considering making in the battery joint venture – and which includes support from the Turkish Government – will directly benefit large and small commercial vehicle operators across Europe, reducing their energy and running costs and providing a significant contribution to reducing CO² emissions.
“Koç Group is closely following investment opportunities in the auto industry, and in advanced technologies and developments in electrification in line with our sustainability approach. We have a strong collaboration with our partner Ford spanning nearly a century, and which paves the way to forward-looking strategic investments,” said Levent Çakıroğlu, CEO, Koç Holding.
“Today, we are very excited to announce the signing of a non-binding MoU to look at a possible joint venture as a significant step for vertical integration in the electrified future of the auto industry. This strategic move is not only a testament to Turkey’s potential, but also bring our country a significant global competitive edge in battery production. The long-standing history and domestic leadership position of Koç Group in the auto industry, the trust and commitment of our partner Ford, and the deep-rooted experience of SK Innovation, further solidify our confidence in this project,” added Çakıroğlu.
Following today’s signing of the non-binding memorandum of understanding, Ford, SK On Co., Ltd. and Koç Holding will work toward finalizing the joint venture later this year.
“I want to thank our partners SK On Co., Ltd. and Koç Holding for their vision in what I believe will be an industry-leading joint venture which will take the manufacture and supply of batteries for electric commercial vehicles to the next level. I also thank the Turkish Government for continuing to support our electrification transformation,” said Rowley.
Ford and SK Innovation in the US
Ford and SK Innovation – SK On Co., Ltd.’s parent company – also established a joint venture earlier this year in the United States, called BlueOval SK. In September, Ford announced it plans to make the largest ever U.S. investment in electric vehicles at one time by any automotive manufacturer and, together with its partner, SK Innovation, intends to invest $11.4 billion and create nearly 11,000 new jobs at two mega-sites in Tennessee and Kentucky.
The Tennessee site, called BlueOval City, will be Ford’s largest, most advanced, most efficient auto production complex in its 118-year history, while the new BlueOval SK Battery Park in Kentucky will consist of twin battery plants that will power a new line-up of electric vehicles for the North American market.
Ford’s global battery electric plans call for at least 240 Gigawatt hours of battery cell capacity by 2030 – about 10 plants’ worth of capacity. Approximately 140 Gigawatts will be required in North America, with the balance dedicated to other key regions, including Europe and China.
SOURCE: Ford
