Two Republican US House Committee chairs have asked the Biden administration to probe four Chinese entities reportedly engaged in Ford Motors' Michigan battery facility.
Representative Mike Gallagher, who chairs the select committee on China, and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, made the move as concerns grow over Chinese companies' direct ties to the Chinese military, Communist Party, North Korean government, and Xinjiang human rights abuses, per Reuters.
Lawmakers are investigating the Ford facility's use of CTL technology. The committees want the Commerce Department to investigate and explore export restrictions on Chinese companies engaged in the facility's design, construction, and IT procedures.
"Indeed, this poses significant cybersecurity risks," the lawmakers stated.
The letter did not identify the Chinese firms, but it noted that Ford gave the committees private documents. The names were kept secret owing to confidentiality.
(Photo : JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images)The 40 millionth Ford Motor Co. F-Series truck sits on the assembly line at the Ford Dearborn Truck Plant on January 26, 2022 in Dearborn, Michigan.
Ford to Cooperate with Investigation
Ford CEO Jim Farley expressed willingness to participate in the investigation of the CATL cooperation. A Ford spokesperson stressed the company's commitment to adhering to government legislation and upholding high standards, including human rights, throughout its business activities, according to Electrek.
The Blue Oval Battery Park plant has faced challenges and setbacks. Originally expected to generate over 2,500 jobs, recent adjustments have scaled down the investment to $2 billion, supporting 1,700 jobs.
The GOP legislators contend that Ford's agreement with CATL places a Beijing-based company in a key role in the plant's concept design, with alleged ties to providing engineering design services to the Chinese military.
Representatives Gallagher and McMorris Rodgers sent letters to the Treasury and State Departments, seeking an inquiry into sanctions evasion by one of the companies involved. This particular company, slated to provide IT tools for the plant, is alleged to have ties to North Korea, prompting concerns over Ford's use of a provider linked to North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs sanctions evasion activity.
Ford had previously faced pressure from lawmakers in September 2023, demanding documents related to its partnership with CATL and threatening to summon CEO Jim Farley for congressional testimony. The company later downsized its investment and capacity for the Michigan plant, initially planned at $3.5 billion, to $2 billion in November 2023, citing a pause in work two months earlier.
139,000 Focus and EcoSport Models Recalled
In a separate development, Consumer Affairs reported that Ford Motor Company is recalling 139,730 Focus and EcoSport models from 2016-2018. The recall is due to an oil pump drive belt or tensioner failure, which might lower engine oil pressure.
The issue may cause an engine stall and brake assist loss. Such a circumstance raises crash risk, underscoring the necessity for immediate action.
Ford dealers will repair the oil pump tensioner assembly and driving belt for free to solve this safety risk. Interim owner notice letters about safety risks will be sent on February 13, 2024. Once repair components are available, another notification will be sent.
The proactive recall protects vehicle passengers by swiftly fixing oil pump drive belts and tensioner issues. Impacted vehicle owners are advised to contact Ford customer care at (866) 436-7332. Customers are advised to contact Ford's recall number, 23S64, when seeking information or arranging repairs.
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