WASHINGTON: Late Friday Volkswagen AG declared itself an “unexpected victim” in a battle between two battery suppliers and urged the U.S. government to expand its reconnaissance to buy batteries that were important to electric vehicle production. in their US.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) met Wednesday with LG Chem in a trade secrecy issue but allowed SK Innovation to import components for domestic production of lithium-ion batteries for Ford’s EV F-150 program Motor Co. for four years, and for Volkswagen of American Electric Vehicle Line for two years.
VW said Friday it will seek to extend its carving “to at least four years to allow for an appropriate transition time. Ultimately, however, we hope the two suppliers will resolve the dispute. this is outside the courtroom. ”
The German automaker has invested $ 800 million to build electric vehicles in Tennessee and hire hundreds of workers. “Volkswagen will take all necessary steps to allow us to fulfill our commitment to provide skilled jobs for proud Tennessee workers,” the automaker said.
On Thursday, Ford CEO Jim Farley publicly urged LG Chem and SK Innovation to reach a settlement. VW and Ford have previously warned that the controversy could disrupt the supply of key EV components and cost U.S. jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on Friday called on President Joe Biden to resign from ITC regulation, warning that long-term prospects for SK Innovation’s $ 2.6 billion battery plant in Jackson County, Georgia, “have been damaged The plant will eventually build batteries for Volkswagen and Ford.
The White House and SK Innovation rejected an opinion.
LG Energy Solution adviser Dave Callahan said the company “remains committed to negotiating a fair settlement for stealing their trade secrets” and said the Georgia facility will be able to operate.
“The only hurdle in resolving this issue and securing the future of the plant (SK Innovation’s) is refusing to accept the injustice and make amends,” he said.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) met Wednesday with LG Chem in a trade secrecy issue but allowed SK Innovation to import components for domestic production of lithium-ion batteries for Ford’s EV F-150 program Motor Co. for four years, and for Volkswagen of American Electric Vehicle Line for two years.
VW said Friday it will seek to extend its carving “to at least four years to allow for an appropriate transition time. Ultimately, however, we hope the two suppliers will resolve the dispute. this is outside the courtroom. ”
The German automaker has invested $ 800 million to build electric vehicles in Tennessee and hire hundreds of workers. “Volkswagen will take all necessary steps to allow us to fulfill our commitment to provide skilled jobs for proud Tennessee workers,” the automaker said.
On Thursday, Ford CEO Jim Farley publicly urged LG Chem and SK Innovation to reach a settlement. VW and Ford have previously warned that the controversy could disrupt the supply of key EV components and cost U.S. jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on Friday called on President Joe Biden to resign from ITC regulation, warning that long-term prospects for SK Innovation’s $ 2.6 billion battery plant in Jackson County, Georgia, “have been damaged The plant will eventually build batteries for Volkswagen and Ford.
The White House and SK Innovation rejected an opinion.
LG Energy Solution adviser Dave Callahan said the company “remains committed to negotiating a fair settlement for stealing their trade secrets” and said the Georgia facility will be able to operate.
“The only hurdle in resolving this issue and securing the future of the plant (SK Innovation’s) is refusing to accept the injustice and make amends,” he said.