Stellantis, Samsung SDI to build EV battery plant in Indiana

PONTIAC, MI – AUGUST 17: The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept all-electric muscle car is shown during its world launch during Dodge Week of Speed ​​at M1 Hall on August 17, 2022 in Pontiac, Michigan appeared on. Stellantis NV brand Dodge’s mass-produced electric vehicle is expected to be launched in 2024.

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Detroit – Samsung SDI and car manufacturers star Plans to invest more than $3.2 billion in a new electric vehicle battery factory in Kokomo, Indiana.

The factory, the sixth battery factory announced by Stellantis globally, was largely expected, but the location and timeline are noteworthy. Wednesday’s announcement comes amid a U.S. worker strike and contract negotiations between Stellantis and the United Auto Workers, led by UAW President Shawn Fain of Kokomo.

Battery plants have become a major issue in labor negotiations as the United Auto Workers union considers electric vehicle battery work critical to its long-term survival. General Motors Last week it agreed to include workers at its electric vehicle battery plant in the company’s national contract with unions, which Fein called a “transformative victory.”

Fein said the union expects Strantis and Ford Follow suit, including including battery plant workers in final contract agreements.

“The plan is to close the engine and transmission plants and permanently replace them with low-wage battery jobs,” Fein said Friday. “We have a different plan, and our plan is to win GM. We expect it to win Ford as well. And Stellantis.”

Stellantis declined to comment on the details of ongoing negotiations or the timing of the announcement.

On October 6, 2023, United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain updated union members on the status of negotiations with the Detroit automakers during an online broadcast.

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The electric vehicle battery plant is key to the automaker’s plans to produce electric versions of its Ram pickup truck and Dodge muscle cars, among other models.

The new Stellantis battery plant is the second planned in Kokomo by StarPlus Energy, the automaker’s joint venture with Samsung SDI. The two plants are expected to create 2,800 new jobs, according to the company.

StarPlus Energy’s first $2.5 billion battery plant is under construction. Production is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025. The second factory is expected to start producing batteries in early 2027.

Mark Stewart, chief operating officer of Stellantis North America, said: “Our battery ecosystem is the foundation of our electrification strategy, and our excellent partners Samsung SDI, the state of Indiana and the city of Kokomo have created a great opportunity for us to open our sixth Gigafactory in Kokomo. A compelling case.” said in a statement.

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