SMM, July 24: Dealers in Hunan region reported that replacement demand in the automotive battery market was poor, battery inventory was close to 2 months, and battery sales were quite difficult. Currently, the wholesale price for the main model 6-QW-45Ah is 160-180 yuan per unit. Manufacturers in Hubei region reported automotive battery orders as subpar, with moderate domestic sales demand and export orders yet to recover. The factory's production line operating rate currently remains at 70-80%. Manufacturers in Anhui region reported poor domestic orders for automotive batteries, cautious procurement by dealers, and to avoid inventory accumulation, the factory's operating rate was maintained at around 70%, with raw material lead mainly procured through long-term contracts.

Dongfeng’s new-generation solid-state battery (oxide-polymer composite) to start mass production in 2H 2026; demo vehicles logged >3.2 million km safely. Dongchi Energy’s semi-solid device shipped to Djibouti (offshore oil platform application). Aviation solid-state battery energy density exceeds 480Wh/kg, boosting eVTOL range by 65%+. Sun Xueliang’s team achieved low-cost Li₂S (cutting sulfide electrolyte cost by >86%) and Li-Te battery with 13,000+ cycles.

According to SMM, the weekly comprehensive operating rate of lead-acid battery enterprises across five provinces was 66.87% during May 15–21, 2026, up 0.24 percentage points WoW. Currently, the lead-acid battery market remains in the traditional consumption off-season, with weak demand in markets such as e-bikes and automotive batteries. Dealers were cautious in procurement. Apart from a few enterprises that had more holidays in the first half of the month and recently resumed normal production, the vast majority of enterprises were generally in a state of production cuts or further cut production. Overall, production increases and decreases among lead-acid battery enterprises largely offset each other, and the operating rate fluctuations were relatively small.

SMM February 24: Dealers in Hunan reported that end-use consumption in the automotive battery market was moderate. During the Chinese New Year holiday, battery inventory digestion was limited. After the holiday, only selective models required restocking based on demand. Meanwhile, wholesale prices for batteries remained unchanged compared to pre-holiday levels, such as 6-QW-45Ah at 200-220 yuan per unit. Manufacturers in Hebei indicated that demand for automotive batteries during the Chinese New Year holiday was flat. Currently, the factory has not resumed operations and is expected to start production tomorrow. Additionally, the company had stockpiled lead ingots before the holiday, and initial production line operations will focus on digesting existing inventories. Manufacturers in Zhejiang reported that with the end of the Chinese New Year holiday, the factory officially resumed operations today. However, as non-local workers have not fully returned, production lines still need to gradually ramp up. There are no immediate plans to purchase lead ingots in the coming days.

SMM February 3 News: Dealers in Hunan reported moderate replacement demand in the automotive battery market. Coupled with the approaching year-end, retailers' purchases were limited, and battery inventory exceeded one month. No additional stockpiling will be conducted before the Chinese New Year. The current wholesale price for the main model 6-QW-45Ah is 200-220 yuan per unit. Manufacturers in Guangdong reported that domestic orders for automotive batteries were moderate, while export orders declined significantly due to factors such as tariffs. Recently, the plant operating rate has been maintained around 70%. Additionally, with the Chinese New Year holiday approaching, the production workshop was shut down yesterday. Manufacturers in Zhejiang reported that overall demand in the automotive battery market was weak. Dealers' pre-holiday stockpiling has basically ended. After completing the last shipment recently, the plant will suspend operations on February 8. Furthermore, no procurement of lead ingots is planned before the holiday.

SMM January 27: Dealers in Hunan reported limited improvement in replacement demand for automotive batteries. Coupled with weakening lead prices, selling prices in the wholesale battery market struggled to rise. As the Chinese New Year approaches, they plan to maintain moderate stockpiling. The main model 6-QW-105Ah is priced at 315-325 yuan per unit. Manufacturers in Zhejiang indicated that replacement demand for automotive batteries is moderate. The operating rate of factory production lines remained relatively stable, at around 80%. Due to the approaching Chinese New Year break, factories have begun gradually building battery inventory in preparation for dealers' routine pre-holiday stockpiling. Manufacturers in Anhui noted limited improvement in demand during the traditional peak season for automotive batteries, with export orders weakening. The company intends to start the holiday early and extend the entire Chinese New Year break after completing the routine pre-holiday stockpiling.