September 7, 2025 08:03 PM GMT Investor Presentation | Asia Pacific M Foundation China Economics: Anti-involution Trip Takeaways For important disclosures, refer to the Disclosure Section, located at the end of this report. Zhipeng Cai Economist Zhipeng.Cai@morganstanley.com +852 2239-7820 Chief China Economist Robin.Xing@morganstanley.com +852 2848-6511 Morgan Stanley Asia Limited Robin Xing Anti-Involution M Measured Anti-involution, Incremental Yet Insufficient Rebalancing Efforts Policy paths towards an ...

Trump said he wants to find a way to bring in experts to train US workers following an immigration raid at a South Korean-owned EV battery factory in Georgia https://t.co/mDbUzet1Mf ...

The immigration raid on a Georgia EV battery plant run by two South Korean firms has rattled Seoul, coming less than two weeks after the nation's companies pledged to invest hundreds of billions in the US https://t.co/e7m8po7JC5 ...

Core Insights - QuantumScape Corporation (QS) is positioned as a promising player in the EV battery sector, with the introduction of its Cobra separator process potentially bridging the gap to commercial scale [1][3] Group 1: Cobra Separator Process - The Cobra process represents a significant advancement, achieving a 25 times increase in heat treatment speed compared to the previous Raptor process, while also requiring less factory space and energy [2][8] - This innovation allows QuantumScape to produce battery cells more quickly and cost-effectively, which is essential for scaling production to gigawatt-hour levels [2][4] Group 2: Production and Market Position - QuantumScape plans to begin B1 sample shipments later this year, which is a crucial step towards vehicle integration and field testing scheduled for 2026 [3][8] - The increased efficiency and throughput from the Cobra process could lower production costs, enhancing QuantumScape's competitiveness in a cost-sensitive battery market [4] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Solid Power (SLDP) is pursuing a different commercialization strategy by focusing on electrolyte materials and licensing technology to automakers, which may limit its capital intensity but relies on partnerships for manufacturing success [5] - SES AI (SES) is developing lithium-metal batteries with AI monitoring systems and has established partnerships with major automakers, although it is still in the early stages of battery commercialization [6] Group 4: Stock Performance - QuantumScape's shares have appreciated approximately 74% over the past six months, contrasting with a 2% decline in the broader industry [7]

Lithium prices are surging from multi-year lows, sparked by the shutdown of one of the world's largest mines. So, what could this mean for the cost of batteries, particularly electric vehicles and consumer electronics. China's CL, the world's largest EV battery maker, has suspended operations at a major lithium mine in Yuchun, Djang Xi.The mine is no small player. It supplies around 3 to 5% of the main kind of lithium used in EV batteries. A prolonged closure could tighten global supply and erode an industr ...

EV Battery Giant CATL Suspends Mining Project https://t.co/T6wpNGM4iD ...

Group 1: Market Trends and Short Squeeze Dynamics - The market is experiencing a resurgence of meme stocks and short squeezes, reminiscent of events in 2021, with a new presidential administration influencing market dynamics [1][2] - Small-cap stocks are showing parabolic gains driven by retail volume, indicating a potential for short squeeze opportunities [2] - Short squeezes are characterized by high volatility and are often associated with stocks that appear unattractive at first glance, such as struggling movie chains and unprofitable tech firms [3][4] Group 2: Key Metrics for Short Squeeze Candidates - Important factors for identifying short squeeze candidates include short interest, days to cover, volatility, and catalysts [5][4] - High short interest indicates a bearish sentiment, while a high days to cover metric suggests difficulty for short sellers to exit their positions [5] - Catalysts such as positive earnings reports or regulatory changes can trigger a feedback loop, driving demand for shares [5] Group 3: Company-Specific Insights - **Navitas Semiconductor**: Currently has 32% short interest on a 134 million share float, with shorts controlling approximately $385 million of its $1.72 billion market cap. The company reported $83 million in sales over the last 12 months and is facing negative EPS [6][7] - **Red Cat Holdings**: Short interest has increased to 20% of the float, with a significant earnings miss in Q1. However, the company anticipates profitability by year-end and is gaining interest from the U.S. government due to its drone capabilities [8][9] - **QuantumScape**: Despite only 14% short interest, the stock has seen a 123% gain recently, driven by the announcement of a new battery technology. The stock has experienced volatility but received a price target increase from $6 to $11 [11][12]

Production & Expansion - Panasonic aims for full production at its DeSoto, Kansas facility this year, with sales already underway [2] - The company invested $4 billion in the DeSoto facility and is eligible for nearly $7 billion in incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act [15] - Panasonic plans to localize 50% of its supply chain within North America by 2030 to enhance resilience [19] Customer & Market Strategy - Panasonic is diversifying its customer base beyond Tesla to include other established OEMs and startups [8][9] - The company is "very bullish" and not currently experiencing a slowdown in orders from key customers [6] - Panasonic acknowledges the hybrid market's continued relevance alongside EV growth, with EV sales rising by 114% [23] Location & Partnership - Kansas was chosen for its available workforce, infrastructure, and the supportive attitude of state officials [11][12] - Panasonic collaborated with local schools and community colleges to create curriculums to ensure a skilled workforce [14] Supply Chain - Panasonic is actively working to diversify its supply chain to ensure resilience, addressing issues highlighted during COVID-19 [18][20] - The refining process for raw materials is a key focus to ensure the quality needed for battery production [21] Future Outlook - Panasonic's next priority after the DeSoto facility reaches smooth operation is yet to be determined (TBD), focusing on producing quality batteries [22] - The company is hopeful that the 45X manufacturing credit will remain intact, supporting job creation and technology advancement in the US [17]