--- title: "Ford Might Buy Batteries From China’s BYD for Its Hybrids: TDS" date: "2026-01-16" modified: "2026-01-16" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-might-buy-batteries-from-chinas-byd-for-its-hybrids-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Ford Might Buy Batteries From China’s BYD for Its Hybrids: TDS ![Toyota North Carolina Battery Plant]() Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. Short, tight, and dense, *TDS* gathers the latest automotive headlines from around the globe and puts them in one place. Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. 🚨 A quick heads up that the editorial team will be off on Monday due to the holiday and *TDS* will return on Tuesday. The first cup of coffee is gone and it's time for a second so let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: Heading into the weekend with the Lexus LS and am realizing the laundry list of features one might expect in a flagship that costs $94,990 that are missing including a surround-view camera system. 🇨🇳 Ford and China's BYD are [reportedly in talks for the Blue Oval to source batteries from the Chinese automaker]() for upcoming hybrids, though it's unclear at this point how the two would set the arrangement up to avoid heavy tariffs. 📉 Porsche [reported its worst sales slump]() in 16 years attributed mostly to poor demand in China, but notably every third car the automaker [sold in Europe last year was electric](). 🎉 Mercedes-Benz is [gearing up for a busy year]() with a slew of new vehicle debuts. 🔋 Ford CEO Jim Farley said the automaker's [$30,000 electric truck has hit the prototype stage]() and is "like the Apollo or Gemini mission." 🥳 Rivian is celebrating as the startup automaker announced the upcoming [R2 has now hit the manufacturing validation stage]() with units rolling off the assembly line. 🫸 The electric Genesis GV90 SUV has [reportedly been delayed](), again, and will now enter production in the second half of 2026. *Have feedback on the formatting of TDS? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()