# SK On wins Ford Q1 status for its 30 GWh Hungarian plant *The certification validates defect controls across the site after an audit through mid-2026, anchoring cell deliveries for European electric vehicle lines.* **Published:** October 7, 2026 **By:** Seung-min Park **Section:** Batteries & Electric Vehicles — South Korea **Format:** Breaking **Confidence:** medium **Source:** https://eastasiabrief.com/batteries-ev/sk-wins-ford-q1-status-30-gwh-hungarian-plant-576 **Publisher:** East Asia Brief (https://eastasiabrief.com/) --- ## What to know - SK On earns Ford Q1 quality certification for 30 GWh Ivancsa battery plant - Hungarian hub represents 47.5 GWh of total cell production capacity - Next supplier performance audit scheduled with Ford for first quarter of 2027 ![Workers oversee robotic arms assembling battery modules along an automated production line at an SK On manufacturing facility. (AI-generated image)](https://eastasiabrief.com/media/2026-10-07-7c36b04e43c1.webp) *Workers oversee robotic arms assembling battery modules along an automated production line at an SK On manufacturing facility. (AI-generated image)* SK On said Oct. 7, 2026 that its Ivancsa battery plant in Hungary received Ford Motor Company’s Q1 certification, clearing the automaker’s highest supplier quality threshold two years after commercial operations began. The manufacturing facility in Fejer County delivers 30 gigawatt-hours of annual production capacity. The site accounts for roughly 63% of SK On's total 47.5 gigawatt-hour battery cell capacity across Hungary. The designation validates factory performance at SK On’s largest operational manufacturing base in Europe. Ford grants Q1 status to component suppliers that achieve superior metrics in technical execution and manufacturing reliability. Ford evaluates candidate facilities across production technology, product consistency, continuous improvement processes and quality management systems, according to the automaker's global procurement standards. The credential confirms that a supplier meets Ford’s strict operating benchmarks. SK On Europe head Kim Seong-sik accepted the Q1 certification plaque during an on-site ceremony at the Ivancsa plant on Oct. 6, 2026. Quality audit representatives from Ford presented the award. Ford conducted on-site evaluations at the Ivancsa facility from late 2025 through the first half of 2026. The review examined manufacturing lines, material tracking protocols and quality verification systems. Auditors evaluated how effectively the factory prevents defective battery cells from shipping to vehicle assembly lines. Ford also reviewed systems that identify and eliminate potential quality risks before production starts, SK On said. Construction on the Ivancsa manufacturing complex started in the third quarter of 2021. SK On began commercial mass production of lithium-ion pouch cells at the Hungarian site in the second quarter of 2024. The Ivancsa site is SK On’s third battery manufacturing facility in Hungary. The facility expanded the South Korean battery maker's localized manufacturing footprint beyond its initial European base in Komarom. SK On opened its first Komarom plant with 7.5 gigawatt-hours of annual cell capacity. The company subsequently added Komarom Plant 2, which provides 10 gigawatt-hours of operational cell output. Together, the three Hungarian plants generate 47.5 gigawatt-hours of cell capacity each year. That volume establishes Hungary as SK On’s core European manufacturing hub for passenger electric vehicles and commercial platforms. European gigafactories have faced persistent operational difficulties during initial production phases. Automotive manufacturers have expressed concern over scrap rates and lengthy yield ramp-up timelines across several newly constructed European battery facilities. Stabilizing production lines quickly is necessary to protect battery cell margins. Cell manufacturing scrap rates directly alter manufacturing costs because raw materials represent the largest share of total battery pack expenses. SK On stated in November 2024 that the Ivancsa plant exceeded a 90% production yield within three months of starting commercial manufacturing. That rapid early ramp-up helped stabilize output across automated pouch assembly lines. The announcement does not state SK On's current factory yield percentage as of October 2026. The battery maker has not published updated defect figures since its November 2024 disclosure. Achieving Q1 status within two years of commercial production marks one of the fastest supplier validations for a European battery facility, SK On said. The credential permits streamlined component shipments to Ford assembly plants. The award reflects joint efforts by headquarters engineers and local Hungarian staff to prioritize defect prevention, Kim said. SK On will continue strengthening manufacturing competitiveness through proactive quality management, Kim said. Ford uses SK On pouch cells in European electric vehicle programs, including electric passenger models and commercial transport fleets. The certified cells feed vehicle assembly plants located across the European Union. Automakers require suppliers to maintain Q1 standards through ongoing monitoring and periodic performance reviews. Failure to maintain required defect thresholds can lead to formal review meetings or suspension of supplier privileges. Ford schedules its next supplier performance audit for the first quarter of 2027 to verify continued process compliance. The review will assess defect tracking metrics across high-volume production shifts. Securing Ford's top rating supports SK On’s commercial position as European automakers evaluate battery supply contracts for upcoming vehicle models. Operational stability in Hungary provides automotive customers with dependable regional cell volumes. SK On plans to run its 30 gigawatt-hours of Ivancsa capacity under the verified quality protocols through 2027, maintaining steady cell deliveries for Ford's regional electric vehicle programs. ## Impact map | Event | Korea | China | Japan | Global impact | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Ford Q1 quality certification at Ivancsa | SK On secures preferred supplier status across Ford European vehicle programs | CATL and rival suppliers face stricter quality benchmarks in European OEM bids | Equipment vendors retain stable demand for automated cell inspection lines | European battery cell supply risks decrease as Ivancsa stabilizes defect controls | ## In this story - **Companies:** SK On, Ford Motor Company - **Tickers:** 096770.KS, F - **Policy:** Quality Standards, Industrial Policy - **Impact:** Supply Chain, Order Book, Compliance ## Primary sources 1. ket.kr 2. mt.co.kr 3. mtnews.net 4. sedaily.com 5. newsspirit.kr --- Cite as: East Asia Brief, "SK On wins Ford Q1 status for its 30 GWh Hungarian plant," October 7, 2026. https://eastasiabrief.com/batteries-ev/sk-wins-ford-q1-status-30-gwh-hungarian-plant-576