Core Viewpoint - CATL is promoting skateboard chassis technology to automotive manufacturers to deepen partnerships amid increasing competition in the battery market, but this new business may be more challenging than anticipated [1] Group 1: Technology Overview - The skateboard chassis, first introduced by General Motors in 2002, separates the vehicle body from the chassis, integrating all driving functions into the chassis [1] - This technology allows automotive companies to avoid significant investments in developing new chassis platforms, lowering the entry barrier for new manufacturers [1] - CATL claims that using its skateboard chassis can enable the development of a new product within 12 to 18 months [1] Group 2: Market Challenges - A multinational automotive parts executive indicated that eight years ago, their company assessed the feasibility of the skateboard chassis in Europe but found insufficient customer demand to justify R&D investments [2] - Potential customers for skateboard chassis are categorized into three groups: manufacturers of delivery vehicles and sanitation equipment, autonomous taxi companies, and passenger vehicle companies looking to reduce development costs [2] - The traditional competitive advantage of automotive companies lies in platform and modular design, and outsourcing chassis technology may lead to a loss of control over vehicle value [2] Group 3: Industry Dynamics - In the current consolidation phase of the Chinese automotive industry, companies struggle to allocate funds for niche model development [3] - The integration of core functions like braking and steering into the skateboard chassis poses challenges for vehicle handling, comfort, and stability, which are critical for differentiation [3] - The need for both standardization and customization in skateboard chassis development complicates the process, as it must cater to various vehicle specifications [3] Group 4: Competitive Landscape - CATL's current signed clients include Avita, JAC, BAIC New Energy, Nezha, and Changan Mazda, indicating the difficulty in expanding its customer base [4] - Other suppliers may face survival challenges as automotive companies also engage in developing skateboard chassis technology, limiting market space for suppliers [4] - Traditional automakers like Volkswagen and Ford are also entering the skateboard chassis market, with Volkswagen's MEB platform integrating battery and motor into the chassis [4] Group 5: Future Trends - As the competition in electric vehicle intelligence intensifies, automotive companies are focusing on smart chassis technology to enhance control over chassis systems [5] - Innovations in smart chassis are centered around steer-by-wire technology, integration with advanced driver assistance systems, and highly integrated designs of wheel motors [5] - Several new energy vehicle companies have launched their own smart chassis brands, indicating a trend towards in-house development of chassis technology [5]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights the emergence of intelligent chassis as a key competitive focus for automotive companies, following advancements in intelligent driving and smart cockpits, with expectations for it to be a technological hotspot in the smart vehicle sector by 2025 [2][3]. - The demand for intelligent chassis is driven by the advancement of smart driving technologies, with traditional mechanical chassis facing limitations in response speed and control precision, making intelligent line-controlled chassis a necessity for L3 and above autonomous driving [3][4]. - The transition to electric vehicles is pushing for chassis intelligence, as the characteristics of electric drives require higher energy management efficiency, with line-controlled braking systems improving energy recovery rates by 17% [3][6]. Group 2 - The evolution of chassis technology is accelerating, with the traditional components of fuel vehicles being replaced by electric motors, batteries, and electronic controls, while the chassis remains crucial [4][5]. - Line-controlled chassis technology includes components such as line-controlled steering, braking, and suspension, with varying levels of market penetration, and the industry is moving towards centralized domain control systems for enhanced functionality [5][6]. - The application of intelligent line-controlled chassis is expected to start in high-end passenger vehicles and gradually expand to more models, with projections indicating that by 2025, the penetration rate of intelligent chassis in the 300,000 to 500,000 yuan electric vehicle market will exceed 50% [6][7]. Group 3 - The cost of intelligent chassis components is decreasing, with the price of air suspension dropping from 30,000 yuan in 2019 to around 10,000 yuan currently, enabling mainstream electric vehicles priced between 150,000 to 250,000 yuan to adopt semi-active suspension and line-controlled braking [7]. - The market for intelligent chassis is projected to exceed 143.5 billion yuan by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of over 25%, indicating a shift towards deep integration of chassis and intelligent driving systems [7]. - The investment landscape in the intelligent chassis sector is expanding, with expectations for new products like electronic mechanical braking systems and magnetorheological suspension to enter mass production, intensifying competition in the industry [7].