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[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Kim Jisun] Ford has stopped producing F-150 Lightning, an electric pickup truck, a key model due to battery quality problems.
We have been shutting down its F-150 Lightning plant in Michigan since early last week, Ford said on the 14th (local time). "We will suspend production during the investigation period due to potential battery quality problems in the preliminary inspection." Ford did not specifically disclose what problems the battery had and when it would resume production. The vehicle contains NCM9 batteries produced by SK On's plant in Georgia, USA. The US plant is operating normally, but some lines are being checked for operational problems, SK On said. "It is not an original technology problem, and we will discuss improvement plans with Ford to normalize production soon."
The Ford F-150 Lightning, called the "Myeongga" pickup truck, is the best vehicle for switching electric vehicles. Many predicted that Ford would preoccupy the market as waiting demand reaches 200,000 units and General Motors (GM) and Tesla's electric pickup trucks are scheduled to be released next year. SK On, which posted a deficit of nearly 1 trillion won last year, was selected as a car that could advance the timing of its turnaround. Shares of SK Innovation plunged 7.46% from the previous day due to quality issues. Shares of SK IE Technology, which produces separators, and SKC, which manufactures copper foil, also fell 7.21% and 3.13%, respectively.
The industry cites the unstable yield (the ratio of goods to finished products) of SK On's U.S. plant as the reason for the suspension of production.
AlphaBIZ 김지선(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
