Ford-SK On BlueOval SK Battery Park at Kentucky to start production in 2025
The companies have conveyed that the construction is on schedule at the two massive battery manufacturing facilities capable of collectively producing more than 80 GWh annually. This brings the American automaker closer to its target of producing an annual run rate of 2 million EVs globally by the end of 2026.
"BlueOval SK Battery Park will be at the core of the electrification of the North American auto market," said Jee Dong-seob, SK On president and CEO. "We expect SK On and Ford's leadership in the global electric vehicle market to be solidified through BlueOval SK."
"Ford's roots run deep in Kentucky, and BlueOval SK is going to help Ford to lead the EV revolution, bringing thousands of new, high-tech jobs to the Bluegrass State," said Lisa Drake, vice president, Ford EV Industrialization, "Ford is building on more than a century of investment in Kentucky and its incredible workforce."
The automaker has assembled hybrid battery packs and electric motors in Michigan since 2012. That same year, Ford invested $135 million to design, engineer, and produce these components for hybrids.
"At BlueOval SK Battery Park, we're building the future – state-of-the-art batteries for future Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles and a bright future for the workforce in Kentucky," said David Hahm, BlueOval SK CEO. "In order to produce these batteries, we need a premier workforce that is trained in the latest battery and advanced manufacturing technology."
BlueOval SK Battery Park will train 5,000 new workers at the new Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) BlueOval SK Training Center, located on the 1,500-acre BlueOval SK Battery Park site.
The battery companu will operate twin collocated manufacturing facilities at BlueOval SK Battery Park in Glendale, Kentucky and one battery manufacturing facility at BlueOval City in Stanton, Tennessee. BlueOval SK will begin producing batteries in 2025.
