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The AM/DM podcast: BlueOval's pivot to gas-powered trucks

mcashiola@dailymemphian.com (Mary Cashiola) — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 06:12:19 -0600

The shift to gas-powered trucks means West Tennessee isn’t tied to the nation’s precarious EV market.

Ford shifts gears: Will produce gas-powered trucks, instead of EVs at BlueOval City

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 05:46:11 -0600

The Tennessee Truck Plant could produce other vehicles in the future, but for now, it will be the auto giant’s “Built Ford Tough” models.

Ford and SK On to dismantle their battery joint venture

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:11:17 -0600

Under the agreement, South Korea-based SK On will own the facility at Ford’s $5.6 billion BlueOval City in Stanton. A Ford subsidiary will own two facilities in Kentucky.

Report: Ford could scrap EV F-150, but company says 'no change' for BlueOval

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Thu, 6 Nov 2025 16:22:41 -0600

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, Nov. 6, Ford is considering pulling its EV Lightning truck off the market.

Battery production at the BlueOval City campus delayed

ssurrett@dailymemphian.com (Sophia Surrett) — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 17:22:12 -0500

BlueOval SK, battery manufacturer for Ford Motor Co.’s $5.6 billion BlueOval City campus, has delayed production until 2027.

Ford's $9M plan funds playgrounds, preschool and more in BlueOval area

jbaker@dailymemphian.com (Julia Baker) — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 18:35:11 -0600

“West Tennessee has such an incredible vitality and a special culture that we feel it’s so important to preserve and celebrate that,” said Gabby Bruno, Ford Motor Co. director of community relations.

BlueOval SK lands $9 billion loan for Tennessee, Kentucky battery plants

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 19:47:22 -0600

BlueOval SK, a joint venture between Ford Motor Co. and a Korean EV battery maker, was created to supply batteries for Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles.

Ford will build $7M childcare center at BlueOval City

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 19:35:32 -0600

Less than a mile from its $5.6 billion mega campus, Ford’s childcare center will help out parents working at BlueOval City.

Ford Community Center breaks ground near BlueOval City

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 17:58:13 -0500

The Ford Community Center, a public-private partnership, will be housed at the historic Stanton School located just minutes down the road from Ford’s new plant in BlueOval City.

Baptist plans new $24M Fayette County hospital

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 17:24:13 -0500

In 2015, Fayette County’s only hospital closed after averaging one inpatient a day. Baptist is counting on a population boom due to BlueOval City.

Ford delays launch of Tennessee-built EV truck to 2027

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 18:55:30 -0500

The company said delaying the launch will enable the company to use lower-cost battery technology and take advantage of other cost breakthroughs while the market continues to develop.

U of M researcher receives $500K to design BlueOval, Volkswagen transit

jroberts@dailymemphian.com (Jane Roberts) — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 19:17:07 -0500

“The goal is really, looking statewide to see how we can improve accessibility to jobs. And then if the solution works, the lesson learned in one city may be applied to another city.”

Residents near BlueOval City voice concerns

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Thu, 8 Aug 2024 22:33:31 -0500

The BlueOval Good Neighbors Coalition led a rally in Mason on Wednesday, Aug. 7., demanding access to the local community center and reiterating their demands for Ford Motor Co. to commit to a community benefits agreement.

BlueOval SK names new executive to lead EV battery production

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 21:54:48 -0500

BlueOval SK’s new chief production officer, Jiwon Park, brings his more than 20 years of experience in the EV battery manufacturing industry to the new plant outside Stanton.

BlueOval parent company strikes deal with ExxonMobil for Arkansas lithium

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Tue, 2 Jul 2024 07:49:59 -0500

The new deal will allow BlueOval SK’s parent company to secure lithium from ExxonMobil’s project in Arkansas for the EV batteries that will be made in BlueOval City.

As BlueOval develops, coalition asks to secure union jobs, affordable housing

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:46:06 -0500

The BlueOval Good Neighbors Coalition wants a legally binding community development agreement to protect West Tennessee’s historically Black communities.

BlueOval plant manager leaves for Miss. EV battery plant

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Wed, 5 Jun 2024 09:25:37 -0500

Kearns retired from Ford Motor Co.‘s Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center in BlueOval City and will now lead Amplify Cell Technologies, an electric vehicle battery plant planned for Marshall County, Mississippi.

Ford details more West Tennessee plans as assembly plant takes shape

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Tue, 14 May 2024 18:35:43 -0500

The automaker on Tuesday, May 14, released more details about its investments in the $5.6 billion mega campus as the assembly plant at the Ford Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center takes shape.

As plant opening nears, Ford Philanthropy hones in on West Tennessee communities

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Sat, 4 May 2024 20:57:20 -0500

As Ford Motor Co. inches closer to the 2025 opening of its BlueOval City megasite, the company’s philanthropic arm is investing in the West Tennessee communities on which Ford will rely for its workforce.

Automotive supplier will bring 500 new jobs to West Tennessee

amaki@dailymemphian.com (Aisling Mäki) — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 13:09:10 -0500

“Landing Ford Motor Co. created a ripple effect statewide as we continue to see Tier 1 suppliers like Avancez choosing to locate in Tennessee,” said the Tennessee Economic and Community Development commissioner.