Ford Motor Company has appointed Lisa Drake as president of its newly formed Ford Energy business, effective immediately. Reporting to Vice Chair John Lawler, Drake will oversee the end-to-end launch of Ford’s battery energy storage systems (BESS) division, including cell manufacturing, system assembly and sales. With more than 170,000 employees worldwide, Ford plans to leverage its U.S. manufacturing footprint to target utility-scale storage projects and residential energy markets. Drake, previously vice president of Technology Platform Programs and EV Systems, brings deep expertise in industrial scale-up and critical supply-chain management, having led battery industrialization and purchasing initiatives. In her new role, she will build a leadership team to capitalize on an estimated $30 billion domestic BESS market by 2030 and support grid stability for utilities and large commercial customers.

Ford Motor Company has entered negotiations with General Motors and financial advisors to provide rescue financing to First Brands Group, an Ohio-based auto parts supplier currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to Financial Times sources, the proposed package could total up to $150 million, safeguarding First Brands’ operations at its four U.S. plants and preserving parts supply for Ford’s powertrain and driveline assemblies. The talks aim to bridge the supplier’s liquidity gap through the restructuring process, ensuring uninterrupted component deliveries to Ford’s Dearborn and Michigan assembly plants, where engine block heaters and other modules are produced for Ford Blue and Ford Pro vehicles.

Ford has issued a safety recall for 119,000 U.S. vehicles due to a defective engine block heater cable assembly that poses a potential fire risk. The recall covers select model year trucks and SUVs built between October 2024 and March 2025 at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the heater cable free of charge. This action contributes to what is projected to be Ford’s highest annual recall volume in company history, with more than 1.2 million units affected across various campaigns in 2026. Ford estimates the repair cost at approximately $50 per vehicle and has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of its mitigation plan.