The American giant Ford has abandoned one of the battery industry sites in Bécancour, in Center-du-Québec, but this is not surprising.
“I have already known about this for several weeks,” said the CAQ MP for Nicolet-Bécancour, Donald Martel.
The joint venture that Ford was to form with South Korean EcoPro BM, announced in August 2023, never materialized.
Ford Canada’s vice president of communications, Said Deep, explained that, “after evaluating the evolution of electric vehicle technology, the costs and the needs of our business, we decided not to enter as a “minority shareholders in this joint venture.”
Ford’s withdrawal was an open secret in Bécancour, while the manufacturer’s name was removed from all posters about a month ago.
Not surprised, the mayor, Lucie Allard, nevertheless said she was reassured by her meeting with the managers of EcoPro BM during her recent trip to South Korea.
“Even the CEO was present to welcome the delegation from the VTE, the Energy Transition Valley. Then, really, they have the firm desire to do the project here in Bécancour.”
EcoPro BM says it is continuing its negotiations with its partners and added: “We would like to emphasize that EcoPro Bm’s commitment to the project in Quebec remains strong and unchanged.”
The president and CEO of the Bécancour Industrial and Port Park Company, Donald Olivier, is confident that the company can find a new manufacturer as a partner.
“Virtually every automobile manufacturer has come to visit the park at one time or another. They shouldn’t have too much difficulty specifying their partners.”
“I know that the EcoPro company is in discussions with two or three other potential investors. So, I found it fun to have in the GM-Ford industrial park, but for me [l’important] it’s that the projects come true. And at that level I have no concerns,” added Mr. Martel.
Quebec and Ottawa invested $644 million to build this plant, estimated at $1.2 billion. It should normally be in operation in 2027.
