Ford in Talks with BYD for Its Next-Gen Hybrids

BYD’s Superior Battery Tech

BYD is more than just a fast-rising Chinese carmaker anymore. After beating Tesla in 2025, the previously Warren Buffett-backed BYD is now the world’s top EV seller.

However, BYD’s real edge comes from its battery manufacturing expertise. Before its automotive era, BYD was already a battery powerhouse – think back to those old Nokia phones with BYD batteries. Today, that technical know-how powers everything from hybrids to full EVs.

Legacy automakers have already admitted it: Chinese brands are a force to be reckoned with. Ford, for one, has long admired them for their ability to deliver technology at lower prices. That said, it’s no surprise that Ford is now eyeing BYD as it rethinks its own lineup.

Ford and BYD in Talking Stage

Ford and BYD aren’t shaking hands just yet, the Wall Street Journal reports. Talks are still ongoing, with no deal signed. One option on the table: Ford could import BYD batteries for its factories outside the US. That point is important as the focus (for now) is on global models, not US-bound hybrids, mostly because of all the political and regulatory baggage that comes with Chinese battery tech.

Both sides are keeping things close to the chest, WSJ said. Ford says it talks to lots of companies, and BYD isn’t saying anything. One source said a deal might not happen at all. But with Ford stepping back from its all-EV gamble, it now needs reliable, affordable batteries as hybrids become a bigger part of its future.

This isn’t the first time Ford and BYD have worked together, though. Since 2020, Ford has used BYD batteries in China through its Changan joint venture, and BYD has tried to take that partnership global before.

Blue Oval’s Hybrid Push

As you’d expect, a Ford-BYD deal wouldn’t be easy in the context of the former’s home market. US-China trade tensions, high tariffs, and possible bans on some vehicle software all make things tricky. The politics are already heating up, with critics warning about relying on a Chinese rival for key parts. Ford is already getting flak for its Michigan battery plant, which uses CATL tech.

Of note, Ford is currently betting big on hybrids as the practical step between gas and full EVs, with the company saying it wants about half its global sales to be electrified by 2030. That even means using hybrid tech to keep the V8 around, instead of letting it disappear.