Ford Motor Co. has' reached the limit 'of what the United Auto Workers can offer the union in terms of economic concessions, a top automaker executive said Thursday after the union abruptly expanded its strike against the automaker on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Ford's contract negotiations with about 57,000 U.S. workers continue.

Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford's traditional business, said that while the company is willing to adjust within its existing offer to meet union priorities, any increased costs would hurt the company's future operations and its ability to invest in emerging areas such as electric vehicles.
"We have been very clear that we have reached our limits. We've worked our butts off to get here." Galhotra said on a conference call with media and analysts on Thursday. "More concessions would hurt our ability to invest in our business."
Galhotra declined to say how much the company's current offer to the union would cost the company.
Strike escalates
Galhotra's comments came a day after the union unexpectedly called a strike at Ford's Kentucky plant for SUVs and pickup trucks, Ford's most profitable products.
Wells Fargo analysts estimate the Kentucky plant strike will cost Ford about $150 million a week in core profit.
"We were surprised by the escalation of the strike last night," Galhotra said. "The Kentucky Truck Plant is one of the most important manufacturing plants in the United States."
UAW President Shawn Fain said late Wednesday that the strike escalated because the company was maintaining its previous pay offer rather than offering additional economic benefits. "The offer is exactly the same as what they gave us two weeks ago. In our opinion, they are not taking this seriously, "Fain said in a pre-recorded online video.
Ford's latest proposal includes wage increases of 23% to 26%, depending on the type of job; Retention of platinum health insurance benefits; Approved bonus; Reinstatement of cost-of-living allowances; And other benefits.
Ford said it has been in talks over the past few days based on guidance from the union on issues such as retiree benefits and potential options for future battery plant workers.
The electric car battery plant has been a major point of contention in negotiations between the union and the three Detroit automakers. Ford, General Motors and Stellantis have all formed joint ventures with battery manufacturers to produce electric vehicle batteries in the United States. Because they are joint ventures, the plants are not covered by agreements between automakers and unions.
But on Friday, GM made a key "concession" by offering to unionize workers at its joint venture battery plant. The union wants Ford and Stellantis to follow GM's lead and allow battery factory workers to join the union.