LG Chem Unit to Build Focus Electric Battery Packs

Ford Motor Co has selected LG Chem's U.S. unit Compact Power to supply battery packs for an electric Focus compact car for U.S. production starting in 2011, the automaker said on Tuesday.

Compact Power will begin assembling lithium-ion battery packs from cells for the Focus electric car at a site to be determined, Ford said.

General Motors Co also chose Compact Power to supply batteries to its Chevrolet Volt extended range electric vehicle.

The first cells for the Focus electric battery will be produced by LG Chem in South Korea, Ford said. Cells will be produced later at a new site in Holland, Michigan, it said.

U.S. production of the Focus electric vehicle is scheduled for Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant where the automaker also plans to produce the next gasoline-powered Focus car. The plant is being converted from SUV production.