Core Viewpoint - Chery's subsidiary, Qida Power Battery, has undergone significant personnel changes, indicating a strategic shift towards enhancing its battery technology and business development in the competitive electric vehicle market [1][2][4] Group 1: Personnel Changes - Qida Power's legal representative has changed from Qu Guofeng to Li Zhongbing, with Zhang Guozhong appointed as chairman and several other executives also replaced [1] - The new leadership team consists of experienced individuals from Chery's automotive division, suggesting a deeper integration between battery production and vehicle development [2] Group 2: Strategic Importance - The appointment of senior executives from Chery's automotive sector to the battery subsidiary highlights the company's emphasis on the battery business as a strategic core, aiming to accelerate technology development and enhance its position in the new energy industry [2][3] - Chery's electric vehicle sales have surged, with approximately 815,000 units sold in the first 11 months of the year, marking a 69.4% year-on-year increase [3] Group 3: Technological Developments - Qida Power has been developing semi-solid batteries since 2015, with plans to validate solid-state battery technology by 2027, achieving an energy density of 600Wh/kg [3] - The shift towards in-house battery development is seen as a necessary response to cost, supply stability, and technological differentiation demands in the industry [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the strategic developments of Li Auto in the electric vehicle battery sector, particularly focusing on its self-research and production of batteries to enhance safety, performance, and supply chain stability [3][5][6]. Group 1: Event Information - The 2025 (10th) Starting Point Lithium Battery Industry Annual Conference and Lithium Battery Golden Ding Award Ceremony will be held on December 18-19, 2025, at the Venus Royal Hotel in Shenzhen, with an expected offline attendance of over 2000 and online viewership of 30,000 [2]. Group 2: Li Auto's Battery Strategy - Li Auto aims to regain its leading position in range-extended products by 2026, with a focus on optimizing luxury quality and user experience in its upcoming L series models [3]. - The company has established a joint venture, Shandong Li Auto Battery Co., Ltd., with a registered capital of 300 million RMB (approximately 42 million USD), to focus on self-research and mass production of lithium batteries [3][4]. - Unlike its previous collaboration with CATL, the new partnership with Sunwoda allows Li Auto to lead the design and production processes, branding the batteries as "Li Auto Batteries" [4]. Group 3: Research and Development - Li Auto's battery R&D team has grown to over 200 members, with the company president closely monitoring progress every two weeks to ensure alignment with production timelines [4]. - The battery supply strategy includes a dual approach of "purchasing + self-research joint venture," primarily sourcing from CATL while collaborating with Sunwoda for self-researched battery projects [4]. Group 4: Market Positioning and Consumer Trust - The shift to self-researched batteries will provide Li Auto with greater control over battery specifications, allowing for customized development that aligns with vehicle performance needs [5]. - By producing its own batteries, Li Auto aims to reduce costs and enhance pricing power in a competitive market, while also addressing consumer concerns regarding non-CATL batteries [6]. - The trend of automakers developing their own batteries is becoming prevalent in the industry, with companies like Tesla, Volkswagen, and NIO also pursuing similar strategies [6].

Core Viewpoint - Porsche has suspended its plans for in-house high-performance battery production due to the lack of economic feasibility and challenges in achieving economies of scale in the current market environment [4][5]. Group 1: Porsche's Battery Production Plans - Porsche's decision to halt its battery production plans is attributed to slower-than-expected growth in the electric vehicle market and changing market conditions in China and the U.S. [4] - The CEO of Porsche highlighted the significant investment and scale required for battery manufacturing, which is currently unachievable for the company [4]. - The Cellforce division, which was responsible for battery development, will reduce operations and focus on supporting the Volkswagen Group and its acquisition of V4Smart [4][5]. Group 2: V4Smart and PowerCo - V4Smart, previously known as V4Drive, is a platform for enhancing battery technology, with plans to produce high-performance cylindrical lithium-ion batteries [4][5]. - PowerCo, a subsidiary of Volkswagen established in July 2022, is focused on global battery business development and plans to build large battery factories in Germany, Spain, and Canada [5]. - PowerCo is investing in solid-state battery technology, including a $131 million investment in QuantumScape to support a pilot production line in California [5]. Group 3: Challenges in Battery Technology - The development of solid-state batteries faces more challenges compared to traditional liquid batteries, with significant technological and material bottlenecks [6]. - The rapid iteration of battery technology and the stability of supply chains are critical challenges for automakers, especially given the dominance of Chinese companies in materials and equipment [6]. - Companies like BYD, Geely, and Tesla are successfully producing their own batteries, with BYD achieving a domestic battery installation volume of 82.2 GWh from January to July this year [7]. Group 4: BYD and Geely's Battery Strategies - BYD has established 12 battery bases in China, with a total planned capacity exceeding 500 GWh, and is increasing its external supply to various automakers [7]. - Geely has integrated its battery business under the "Jiyao Tongxing" brand, aiming for a production capacity of 70 GWh by 2027, with a significant year-on-year growth in installation volume [7].