This episode was originally published on November 14, 2022)This week, Ford announced it was pausing work on a new $3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan. President of the United Auto Workers, Shawn Fain, viewed this as a "thinly veiled threat" to cut jobs. But this is a factory that's had controversy surrounding it even before this decision. And it all centers around a company called Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited, or CATL.Today, a classic Indicator on the history behind one of the most divisive factory plans in America and the man leading the charge behind the world's transition to electric vehicles.*For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at *plus.npr.org.)*Music by Drop Electric). Find us: TikTok), Instagram), Facebook), Newsletter).*Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)
