Blueoval SK LLC, the electric vehicle (EV) battery joint venture between South Korea’s SK On Company and Ford Motor Company, launched production at its newly-built plant in the US state of Kentucky, marking the start of commercial operations for the company.
The 50:50 joint venture was established in July 2022, with plans to invest US$ 11.4 billion in three EV battery plants in the US, including two in Kentucky and one in Tennessee.
Blueoval SK began construction of its first Kentucky plant, in Glendale, at the end of 2022. Commercial operations began in August 2025, with production of batteries for the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck and the extended-range E-Transit cargo van.
Commercial production at the joint venture’s Tennessee facility is scheduled to commence in 2026, while the start-up date for the second Kentucky plant has yet to be decided, depending on demand.
BlueOval SK’s CEO, Michael Adams, said in a statement: "The start of production is a significant milestone that strengthens our position in the EV battery market. BlueOval SK is creating good-paying American jobs, strengthening the domestic supply chain, and driving the transition to zero-emissions transportation."
SK On also has two wholly-owned plants in the US state of Georgia, with another plant – a joint venture with Hyundai Motor Group – also scheduled to go into production in 2026.
