Transportation

Nissan in Talks to Buy Batteries in US from Ford-SK On Venture

An employee works on the batteries of an electric vehicle.

Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

Nissan Motor Co. is nearing a deal to procure electric vehicle batteries in the US from a joint venture between Ford Motor Co. and South Korea’s SK On, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Japanese automaker wants to source batteries in the US in part to avoid President Donald Trump’s tariffs, said the people, who asked not to be identified revealing internal deliberations. For Ford and SK On, a supply deal with Nissan would help boost production amid a slowdown in EV sales, they said.