Driving the news: SK Battery America, which provided cells for the now-canceled Ford F-150 Lightning, announced the layoff of 958 workers at its Commerce, Georgia plant on March 6.
For context: The plant opened in January 2022 at a cost of $2.6 billion. Ford cancelled the truck in December 2025, according to a report by Automotive World.
The announced cuts will reduce the workforce by 37% to about 1,600 employees.
SK's $11.4 billion battery joint venture with Ford dissolved in December.
The company said it is now pivoting to the battery energy storage system (ESS) market, a move also being pursued by LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI.
SK said it also secured at least one major ESS supply deal and a Nissan battery agreement in 2025, according to Automotive World.
Bottom line: Without any expected increase in demand for EVs in the next couple of years, more related job cuts could happen, and it’s worth noting this is happening ahead of midterm elections in a politically feisty atmosphere.
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