<strong data-end="289" data-start="235"> Ford Battery Storage Pivot Marks a Strategic Shift</strong> Ford battery storage is becoming a core part of the automaker’s future as it looks beyond traditional electric vehicles. In a major strategic pivot announced this week, Ford revealed plans to launch a dedicated battery energy storage business aimed at powering data centers and stabilizing the electric grid. The move answers growing questions about what Ford would do with battery manufacturing capacity originally planned for large EVs. Instead of scrapping those investments, Ford is repurposing them for a market seeing explosive demand. With energy-hungry AI data centers and stressed power grids worldwide, the timing is deliberate. Ford says shipments will begin in 2027, positioning the company squarely in the fast-growing energy infrastructure space. Credit: Ford <strong data-end="1112" data-start="1061"> Why Ford Is Moving Away From Large EV Batteries</strong> Ford’s decision comes amid a broader recalibration of its electric vehicle strategy. Large electric trucks and SUVs have proven ex…
Rivian AI Assistant Set to Transform EV Experience in 2026 Rivian is preparing to bring its long-awaited AI assistant to every EV in its lineup, with an official launch slated for early 2026. This move answers one of the most common questions among EV enthusiasts: when will Rivian cars get smarter? Unlike other automakers rolling out AI features only in new models, Rivian plans to update its existing R1T trucks and R1S SUVs, ensuring all current drivers benefit from advanced AI capabilities. Credit: Screenshot/Rivian The AI assistant will allow drivers and passengers to control climate settings, manage infotainment features, and interact with vehicle systems more intuitively than ever. It represents a major leap in Rivian’s push to integrate intelligent software throughout its vehicles, aligning with a broader trend of automakers making cars more connected and user-friendly. Third-Party App Integration Expands Rivian’s Capabilities One of the standout features of Rivian’s AI assistant is i…
<strong data-end="348" data-start="298"> Ford and SK On End $11B EV Battery Partnership</strong> Ford and South Korean battery maker SK On are dissolving their $11.4 billion joint venture in the U.S., a surprising shift in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Four years ago, the partnership aimed to build cutting-edge battery factories in Tennessee and Kentucky to power the next generation of Ford’s F-Series electric trucks. While the factories remain operational, the joint venture that brought them to life will no longer exist. Credit: Ford <strong data-end="834" data-start="792"> Division of Assets Marks a New Chapter</strong> Under the new agreement, Ford will assume full ownership and management of the twin battery plants in Kentucky. Meanwhile, SK On will continue operating the factory at the massive BlueOval SK campus in Tennessee. The two companies will maintain a strategic partnership centered on the Tennessee facility, ensuring some continuity despite the split.<strong data-end="1225" data-start="1190"> Why the Joint Venture Is Ending</strong> The decision reflects broader challenges in the EV market. Although EV sales have grown …
<strong data-end="542" data-start="489"> Ford EV Partnership Sparks New Strategy in Europe</strong> Rising searches around Ford’s next EV move in Europe focus on cost, competition, and how the company plans to counter China’s fast-growing brands. This new partnership between Ford and Renault answers those questions directly by outlining a long-term shift toward affordability, shared development, and accelerated technology launches. The companies confirmed they will jointly build two Ford-branded electric vehicles for Europe, targeting a 2028 rollout. Both models will run on Renault’s Ampere platform and be assembled in northern France. This strategic shift signals Ford’s renewed urgency as demand for lower-cost EVs intensifies across the region. Credit: Jakub Porzycki / Getty Images <strong data-end="1261" data-start="1204"> Ford Aims to Regain Ground as Competition Intensifies</strong> Ford’s leadership has been unusually candid about the pressure the company faces in Europe. CEO Jim Farley framed the challenge as “a fight for our lives,” highlighting how aggressively Chinese automakers …