Republican Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce, has sent Ford Motor Company a series of questions about its recent decision to retool existing U.S. battery plants for production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells and grid-scale energy storage systems. Ford licensed the core LFP chemistry and manufacturing know-how from China’s CATL under a multi-year agreement announced in December 2025. Rodgers’s office is seeking data on the terms of the licensing deal, projected domestic cell output of up to 20 gigawatt-hours annually by 2028, and safeguards Ford will put in place to protect intellectual property. Investors are watching closely, as Ford had previously committed $11.4 billion to expand North American battery capacity through 2030, and LFP cells are expected to account for more than 30% of its global battery mix by mid-decade.

Analyst consensus for Ford’s full-year 2026 adjusted earnings per share has risen by 12% over the past six weeks, from $1.25 to $1.40, driven largely by stronger SUV and pickup truck orders in North America and higher margin contributions from the Model e electric-vehicle division. Institutional ownership of Ford shares has increased to 68% from 64% at the start of January, and short interest has fallen by 18% during the same period. Cash flow from operations is projected to exceed $8 billion this year, a step up from $6.5 billion in 2025, supporting the company’s plan to invest $7 billion in BEV infrastructure while maintaining a dividend yield of approximately 4%.

Effective immediately, Lisa Drake has been appointed president of Ford Energy, reporting to Vice Chair John Lawler, and charged with standing up the company’s newly announced battery energy storage systems (BESS) business. Drake will oversee end-to-end operations—from cell manufacturing in Michigan to system assembly and customer sales—targeting initial utility-scale projects totaling up to 500 megawatt-hours in 2026. The unit aims to leverage Ford’s existing 43 GWh annual battery capacity to generate $1 billion in BESS revenue by 2028, serving both large commercial users and residential rooftop storage markets.

Ford and General Motors are negotiating with First Brands Group, an Ohio-based auto parts supplier that filed for Chapter 11 protection in January, to provide debtor-in-possession financing of up to $200 million. The discussions, reported by the Financial Times, would allow Ford to secure critical components—such as seat frames and interior modules—for its F-Series and Explorer production lines without supply interruptions. In 2025, First Brands accounted for roughly 7% of Ford’s total parts spend, valued at approximately $1.1 billion. A financing commitment prior to a February 15th court hearing would ensure continuity at First Brands’ three U.S. plants while a restructuring plan is finalized.