SMM News, April 2: Dealers in Jiangxi reported no significant change for now in replacement demand in the automotive lead-acid battery market, with retailers only purchasing as needed and battery inventory at around one and a half months. In addition, amid the sharp recent rise in lead prices, talk of sales promotions in the battery wholesale market has weakened, and the mainstream model 6-QW-45Ah was quoted at 180-200 yuan/unit. Manufacturers in Zhejiang reported that domestic demand in the automotive lead-acid battery market was average. Coupled with impeded battery exports due to factors including geopolitical issues, tariffs, and differences in domestic and overseas costs, factories are currently producing based on sales, with the operating rate at around 50-60. Manufacturers in Hebei reported stable demand in the automotive lead-acid battery market, among which vehicle OEM supporting orders were moderate, and factory production lines were running at near full capacity. However, as the traditional consumption off-season in April approaches, subsequent production will be adjusted based on order conditions.

SMM News, March 10: Dealers in Hunan reported that end-use consumption in the e-bike lead-acid battery market was average. After retailers restocked following the holiday, battery sales pulled back somewhat. Current battery inventory is maintained at around half a month, and the wholesale price of the main 48V20Ah model is 400 yuan/set. Manufacturers in Jiangxi reported that demand in the electric lead-acid battery market improved in March. In addition, dealers restocked as usual after the holiday, and finished product orders rebounded significantly compared with February. At present, the operating rate of factory production lines is around 80, with raw material lead mainly procured through long-term contracts. Manufacturers in Zhejiang reported that replacement demand in the electric lead-acid battery market improved relatively, with dealers making purchases based on demand. The current factory operating rate has recovered to above 80. In addition, lead prices lacked upward momentum, and spot supply in circulation was ample, so recent procurement has basically been on a buy-as-needed basis.

SMM News on March 9: Dealers in Zhejiang reported a relative improvement in end-use consumption in the automotive lead-acid battery market, mainly due to post-holiday restocking by retailers. Battery inventory declined accordingly, while lead prices struggled to rise, and wholesale prices in the battery market have not seen significant changes for the time being; for example, the mainstream model 6-QW-45Ah was at 200-220 yuan/unit. Manufacturers in Hebei reported that after the holiday, dealers restocked as needed, and automotive lead-acid battery orders improved in March. In addition, factory staff have basically returned to work, and the current operating rate has exceeded 90%. Raw material lead is mainly procured under long-term contract. Manufacturers in Jiangxi reported that domestic demand in the automotive lead-acid battery market improved, while on the export side, affected by the SHFE/LME price ratio for lead, tariffs, and Middle East ocean shipping, export orders remained sluggish, and the current operating rate is maintained at 70-80%.

SMM February 2: Dealers in Shanxi reported sluggish consumption of e-bike lead-acid batteries, with slow inventory digestion. Current inventories are around one month's worth, and there will be no additional stockpiling before the holiday. The selling price in the wholesale market remains unchanged, for example, the main model 48V20Ah is priced at 400-410 yuan per set. Manufacturers in Zhejiang noted that the overall demand for electric batteries was weak, with limited pre-holiday stockpiling by dealers and high battery inventories. The current operating rate of factories is maintained at around 70%, and raw material lead is mainly used to digest inventories. Producers in Jiangxi also observed weak consumption in the e-bike battery market, especially a decline in demand for complete vehicle sets, which dragged down battery orders. With the Chinese New Year holiday approaching, the factory plans to start the holiday early, making this week the last production week before the holiday. The factory has already completed its pre-holiday stockpiling of lead ingots.

SMM June 18: Dealers in Shandong reported weak replacement demand for e-bike lead-acid batteries in the market, with retailers purchasing as needed and maintaining battery inventory within one week. Meanwhile, rumors of price hikes emerged in the wholesale battery market amid rising lead prices, with the mainstream 48V12Ah model currently priced at 300-310 yuan per unit. Manufacturers in Anhui indicated moderate demand for e-bike lead-acid batteries, with limited OEM orders for complete vehicles. Factories maintained production cuts, with operating rates around 80%, and primarily relied on long-term contracts for raw material lead procurement. Manufacturers in Jiangsu noted a weakening off-season impact on the e-bike lead-acid battery market, with improved finished product orders. Current factory operating rates rebounded to above 80%, while raw material lead was purchased as needed.

SMM June 17: Dealers in Zhejiang reported that end-use consumption in the e-bike lead-acid battery market remained weak, with slow inventory turnover. Recently, restocking of batteries has been limited to just-in-time procurement, keeping inventory levels within half a month. Additionally, the wholesale price for the main model, 48V20Ah, was 400-410 yuan per unit. Manufacturers in Jiangxi indicated that replacement demand in the e-bike lead-acid battery market was sluggish, with dealers making just-in-time procurement only. Furthermore, in recent years, the decline in lithium material prices has created a significant cost gap compared to lead materials, leading to an increased proportion of lithium batteries in e-bike batteries, resulting in poor new battery orders. Currently, factory operating rates are maintained at 70-80%. Manufacturers in Anhui reported that the off-season trend in the e-bike lead-acid battery market persisted, with a reduction in vehicle assembly orders. Factory production line operating rates were also around 80%. Additionally, lead prices fluctuated at highs, and recent procurement was primarily based on long-term contracts.