Ford's Lisa Drake on Lithium Supply Deals, Battery Production, CATL

The transcript discusses Ford's strategy to secure lithium for electric vehicle production, highlighting partnerships with global suppliers and efforts to diversify away from China. It covers domestic production, political considerations, and the importance of collaboration. The evolution of battery technology, including LFP chemistry, is explored, along with financial aspects like margins and software services. Ford aims to create American jobs and maintain high ESG standards while leveraging global partnerships.

What is Ford's strategy to secure lithium for their EV batteries?

• Develop their own lithium mines

• Use recycled lithium from old batteries

• Partner with reputable global lithium suppliers

• Rely solely on domestic suppliers

How has Ford diversified its lithium processing?

• By partnering with companies in the US, Canada, and Chile

• By relying on Chinese processing

• By building their own processing plants in Europe

• By using only recycled lithium

What is the significance of Ford's Michigan LFP plant?

• It ensures vehicles qualify for tax credits

• It is a joint venture with Chinese companies

• It is the first plant to use recycled lithium

• It will produce batteries for Ford's entire global fleet

What role does CATL play in Ford's LFP technology strategy?

• They supply all raw materials for Ford

• They manage Ford's battery recycling program

• They provide technology licensing for LFP production

• They are the sole producers of Ford's batteries

What is Ford's approach to adopting new battery chemistries?

• They avoid changing chemistries to reduce costs

• They only use LFP chemistry

• They have flexible platforms to adopt different chemistries

• They stick to one chemistry for all vehicles

How does Ford plan to grow its margins on electric vehicles?

• By increasing the price of vehicles

• By reducing production costs and leveraging software services

• By outsourcing production to cheaper countries

• By reducing the quality of materials used

What is the expected impact of software services on Ford's margins?

• They will decrease margins

• They will only affect hardware costs

• They will have no impact

• They will provide opportunities for margin growth