Ford Turns Factory into Power‑Storage Hub

Kentucky’s Ford plant in Glendale had been quiet for months after the company shut down a massive battery‑making area. The factory was built to make electric‑vehicle batteries, but sales fell short of expectations. Instead of leaving the space empty, Ford plans to shift production to large batteries that utilities and data centers need. These units are the size of shipping containers and help balance power supply, preventing outages. The change could save Ford money that would otherwise be spent keeping the plant idle. It also taps a booming market for energy‑storage solutions that is growing faster than car sales alone.Kentucky’s governor said the demand for these batteries is huge and Ford should be able to compete. The company claims it will use a century of manufacturing experience and advanced battery tech in the new production line. However, Ford has little history making batteries compared to rivals like Tesla, LG Energy Solution and SK On. The factory was originally built by SK On, a South Korean firm that already has expertise in the field. The switch represents a risky but potentially profitable move for a company known mainly for cars. Ford hopes the new focus will keep its Kentucky plant busy and profitable.