SEOUL, March 07 (AJP) - SK Battery America, the U.S. unit of South Korean battery maker SK On, has laid off 37 percent of the workforce at its Georgia plant, citing slowing electric vehicle (EV) sales and a shifting market landscape.
The company announced on Saturday that it cut 968 jobs out of its 2,566 employees at the manufacturing facility in Commerce, Georgia.
The restructuring comes as the global EV transition loses momentum. The plant, which supplies batteries to automakers including Volkswagen and Hyundai Motor, was severely impacted by Ford Motor's recent decision to cancel production of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck.
Ford's move follows the Trump administration's rollback of EV tax credits, prompting the U.S. automaker to pivot toward more profitable hybrid and internal combustion engine vehicles.
In an emailed statement, SK Battery America called the job cuts a "difficult decision to adjust operations in line with market conditions." The company added that it remains committed to Georgia and to building a robust U.S. supply chain for advanced battery manufacturing.
South Korean battery makers are facing broader headwinds as the transition from internal combustion engines to EVs decelerates in major markets like the United States.
Despite the setback, parent company SK Innovation is proceeding with a second battery plant in Georgia dedicated to supplying Hyundai Motor, with production scheduled to begin in the first half of this year.
Another facility in Tennessee, previously planned as a joint venture with Ford, is slated to open in 2028. A company official indicated that the Tennessee plant may supply both automotive and energy storage system (ESS) batteries.
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