经济观察报·2025-12-11 13:30Core Viewpoint - Chinese lithium battery giants are expanding globally to seek new growth opportunities and navigate through market cycles, with a focus on establishing manufacturing capabilities in Europe and Southeast Asia [2][4][12]. Group 1: Global Expansion Initiatives - CATL and Stellantis have initiated a joint battery factory in Zaragoza, Spain, with a planned capacity of 50 GWh, aiming for production by the end of 2026 [6]. - EVE Energy is advancing its factory construction in Debrecen, Hungary, with a planned capacity of 28 GWh, while Guoxuan High-Tech is establishing a 20 GWh battery factory in Slovakia [9]. - Aiming for a localized supply chain, companies like Xinwanda are also expanding in Thailand, with over 17.4 GWh of planned battery capacity [10]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Challenges - Domestic battery utilization rates are declining, leading to price wars that erode profits, while overseas markets, particularly in Europe and North America, show increasing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage [3][12]. - The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the U.S. and the EU's new battery regulations impose significant barriers, necessitating local production to meet supply chain localization requirements [3][14]. Group 3: Profitability and Strategic Shifts - Despite domestic pressures, overseas operations for companies like CATL and EVE Energy show profit margins 5 to 10 percentage points higher than domestic margins [4][13]. - The shift from being "Chinese suppliers" to "global manufacturers" is crucial for survival, as companies aim to establish a competitive edge in international markets [4][12][15]. Group 4: Operational Challenges in Foreign Markets - Chinese companies face significant operational challenges in adapting to local conditions, including supply chain issues and regulatory compliance in Europe and the U.S. [18][20]. - The EU's stringent environmental regulations require companies to trace the carbon footprint of all battery components, adding complexity to operations [20]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The strategic focus for many Chinese lithium battery companies is to increase overseas production capacity to over 40% by 2030, aiming to become recognized as reliable high-tech solution providers in global markets [15][21]. - Despite the challenges, companies are committed to overcoming obstacles to establish themselves as global players in the lithium battery industry [21][22].