According to data from Tianyancha, a website for querying various information about Chinese companies, Xiaomi Auto, has recently unveiled its “Electric Vehicle Charging and Charging Method” patent.

The patent abstract reveals a charging vehicle and method, featuring a battery compartment for housing batteries, a wireless charging device for wirelessly transferring energy from the batteries to the electric vehicle, and an autonomous driving system. The autonomous driving system guides the charging vehicle to a predetermined relative position in relation to the electric vehicle, enabling wireless energy transmission from the batteries to the electric vehicle.

This disclosure signifies a significant advancement in the automation of electric vehicle charging while simplifying the overall charging process.

It is worth noting that Xiaomi Auto has amassed over 300 authorized patents, with issued more than 700 patents.

Apart from its strides in automotive patents, Xiaomi’s ambitions extend to the broader automotive industry. Tianyancha’s data reveals that Xiaomi has recently established Jingming Technology in Wuhan and Shenzhen, both encompassing automotive sales and services. Xiaomi holds 100% ownership in both companies, each with a registered capital of 10 million RMB.

As per insider information from September, Xiaomi Auto is in the trial production phase, currently producing approximately 50 test vehicles per week. Xiaomi anticipates receiving the approval from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology by the end of this year, paving the way for full-scale electric vehicle production.

According to Xiaomi’s earlier public plans, the official mass production of Xiaomi vehicles is set for the first half of next year, a timeline that some deem as somewhat delayed. However, at Xiaomi’s Investor Day earlier this year, CEO Lei Jun emphasized that Xiaomi views the auto industry as a century-long endeavor. He expressed confidence in launching Xiaomi vehicles in 2024 and aspired for Xiaomi Auto to rank among the world’s top five automakers within 15-20 years.

Since Lei Jun’s announcement of Xiaomi’s foray into the automotive sector more than two years ago, the electric vehicle market has witnessed significant changes. Evolving government policies regarding new energy vehicles and increased market competition present formidable challenges to new entrants.

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(Photo credit: Xiaomi)

According to a recent report by itdcw, several Chinese new energy companies unveiled ambitious overseas expansion plans during the last week of September, with the highest investment commitment reaching almost a billion dollars.

This development comes as global demand for batteries skyrockets, driven by the rapid growth of the overseas new energy automotive and energy storage industries. Chinese companies in the new energy industry chain are strategically positioning themselves across the globe to better serve the expanding oversea markets.

Five Companies Announce Overseas Expansion in a Week

The hustle week could tracked back to a significant announcement from Ningbo Shanshan Co., LTD on September 27th. Their intention to establish a project company in Finland, aiming to invest in the construction of an integrated base capable of producing 100,000 tons of lithium-ion battery negative electrode materials annually. The total investment for this venture is not expected to exceed 1.28 billion euros.

On the very same day, a subsidiary of Lopal Technology signed a MOU with LG Energy Solution, Ltd. This agreement outlines their collaborative venture to operate a cathode material factory in Indonesia, further expanding the global footprint of Chinese battery companies.

XTC New Energy Materials also made a significant move on September 26th, announcing their plans to establish Joint Venture in France. This strategic collaboration with the French company Orano is set to build a production line with an annual output of 40,000 tons of ternary cathode materials, bolstering their presence in the European market.

Not to be outdone, CATL unveiled their investment plans in Indonesia on September 25th. Their vision includes the construction of Indonesia’s first project for the production of 30,000 tons of high-nickel power battery ternary precursor materials in the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park, Central Sulawesi Province. The total investment for this endeavor is approximately 109.6 million RMB.

Additionally, South Korea’s LG Chem is gearing up with Huayou Cobalt on September 24th. Together, they are planning to establish an electric vehicle battery material factory in Morocco, slated to commence production in 2026. Their target is an annual output of 50,000 tons of lithium iron phosphate cathode materials.

Not Random: Calculated Choice to Overseas Moves for Expansion

China’s surplus battery production capacity and skyrocketing prices in recent times have left the battery industry chain market sluggish. This has prompted companies to explore overseas markets as a natural expansion strategy. The EU’s new battery regulations and the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act have set new standards and prerequisites for Chinese battery industry chain enterprises venturing abroad.

Europe’s appeal stems from its stringent EU environmental regulations, which have been pushing for the development of electric vehicles. Hungary’s strategic location has positioned it as a major export production hub for renowned automakers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. Its prime geographical location and excellent transportation links make it an ideal gateway to the entire European market.

Indonesia’s selection is attributed to its abundant resources, particularly nickel, of which it holds a quarter of the world’s reserves. Moreover, Indonesia ranks high in global cobalt production. This makes it an attractive destination for battery companies and upstream material enterprises, ensuring a stable supply of essential raw materials.

South Korea is appealing primarily due to its opportunities for collaboration with local companies. Battery material enterprises often find the initial capital requirements and other aspects of independent overseas expansion daunting. With recent international policy changes, Chinese counterparts are favoring collaborative approaches to establish a presence in South Korea.

However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that expanding abroad, while offering access to more overseas market resources, also amplifies risks and pressures borne by these enterprises. This strategic move will test their adaptability and resilience in navigating the complexities of global markets.

In summary, Chinese battery companies are aggressively expanding into overseas markets to meet the surging global demand for batteries, with Europe, Indonesia, and South Korea serving as key strategic locations. While the challenges are significant, these companies are poised to make a significant impact on the global battery industry.

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(Image and Source: Signing Ceremony between XTC and Orano – © Orano / Cyril Crespeau)

Several Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturers disclosed their delivery and sales data for September on Sunday, October 1. GAC Aion, in particular, reached a significant milestone by surpassing 50,000 in sales, while Li Auto Inc. experienced a remarkable 200% surge in deliveries.

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Source to LG Energy Solution, LG Energy Solution, and Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (Toyota) today announced that they have signed a supply agreement for lithium-ion battery modules to be used in Toyota battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that will be assembled in the United States.

Under the contract, LG Energy Solution will supply automotive battery modules at an annual capacity of 20GWh starting from 2025. The battery modules, consisting of high-nickel NCMA (nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminum) pouch-type cells, will be manufactured in LG Energy Solution’s Michigan facility.

The innovative power solutions will support Toyota’s expanding line of BEVs, part of its multi-pathway product strategy, including a new BEV model that will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in 2025. They will also help further Toyota’s vehicle electrification initiatives, as it aspires to offer 30 BEV models globally across its Toyota and Lexus brand nameplates and produce up to 3.5 million BEVs annually by 2030.

“At Toyota, our goal is to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible, as fast as possible,” said Tetsuo “Ted” Ogawa, president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America. “Having secure supplies of lithium-ion batteries at scale with a long-term relationship to support Toyota’s multi-pathway approach and growth plans for BEVs in North America is critical to achieving our manufacturing and carbon reduction plans. Working with LG Energy Solution, we are excited to be able to offer products that will provide the performance and quality our customers expect.”

To fulfill the supply agreement, LG Energy Solution will invest KRW 4 trillion (approximately USD 3 billion) in its Michigan facility to establish new production lines for battery cells and modules exclusively for Toyota, with completion slated for 2025. Initially, the battery modules will go to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky to be assembled into battery packs and equipped onto BEVs.

The agreement brings together LG Energy Solution’s proven capabilities in manufacturing top-quality battery cells and modules at scale, and Toyota’s advanced technologies in battery packs to create a product using LG Energy Solution’s innovative power solution which optimizes battery system performance, providing peace of mind and further enhancing the BEV customer experience. LG Energy Solution continues to enhance battery safety, including with respect to its thermal management for its high-nickel NCMA batteries.

“We’re excited to have Toyota, the best-selling global automaker, as our new customer. With our 30 years of experience in lithium-ion batteries, we will provide innovative power solutions to support Toyota’s push further into battery electric vehicles,” said Youngsoo Kwon, CEO of LG Energy Solution. “The agreement also presents another big opportunity for us to strengthen our production capacity in North America, thereby bringing more real-life, large-scale progress toward electrification in the region.”

The landmark deal represents LG Energy Solution’s largest single supply agreement secured outside of joint venture agreements. The company now supplies its batteries to all the top five global automakers^[1]. Based on its market leadership, the company has eight battery manufacturing facilities currently operating or under construction in North America and continues to expand both its production network and supply chain in the region. (Image credit: LG)

As reported by Nikkei Chinese, Mitsubishi Motors from Japan has made the decision to halt car manufacturing operations in China. This move comes as Mitsubishi Motors engages in final discussions with its local joint venture partner, Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC Motor).

In China, Mitsubishi Motors has been struggling with reduced sales due to the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) and the increasing appeal of local brands. This strategic shift might have wider implications for other Japanese automakers. What lies ahead for the production facility originally situated in Changsha, Hunan?
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