Core Viewpoint - Tesla is shifting its supply chain strategy by seeking alternatives to Chinese suppliers, particularly in the battery and chip sectors, indicating a move towards diversification and reducing reliance on China [1][4][9] Group 1: Tesla's New Partnerships - Tesla has signed a significant deal with South Korea's Samsung SDI for energy storage batteries worth 30 trillion KRW, approximately 15 billion RMB, leading to an 8% surge in Samsung SDI's stock price [1] - Since 2022, CATL has been the exclusive supplier of battery cells for Tesla's Megapack, with plans to increase annual supply to over 15 GWh by early 2025 [3] Group 2: Financial Implications - Tesla's energy storage business has generated 24.3 billion RMB in revenue over the past three months, with a gross margin exceeding 31%, highlighting its importance as a revenue stream [4] - The company has placed substantial orders with LG Energy Solution worth over 30 billion RMB and with Samsung Electronics exceeding 110 billion RMB [5] Group 3: Supply Chain Dynamics - Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory produced over 916,000 vehicles last year, accounting for more than half of its global deliveries, with over 95% of its supply chain localized [4] - Despite the new partnerships, Tesla remains heavily reliant on Chinese suppliers, as Samsung SDI's production capabilities will not be available until 2027 [4][9] Group 4: Geopolitical Factors - The U.S. has imposed tariffs on Chinese batteries, reaching up to 40.9%, which has significantly increased Tesla's costs and affected its operations in China [9] - Tesla's strategy reflects a broader trend among companies like Apple, which have also sought to diversify their supply chains away from China due to geopolitical pressures [7][8]