[Volvo Cars Will Cease Production of the EX30 in the US] Swedish automaker Volvo Cars said on March 16 that it would stop producing the small electric SUV EX30 and the EX30 crossover in the US later this year. Sales of these two car models in the US market will end after the 2026 model year, but the EX30 will continue to be sold in other markets, including Canada and Mexico.

This week，the solid-state battery industry showed a dual-engine momentum driven by "intensive breakthroughs on the technology front and targeted solutions on the policy front." CATL disclosed a sulphide patent, Zhongkeyuanben's 20Ah all-solid-state battery passed third-party detection, and Dreame Technology released a 450Wh/kg product; Guangdong took the lead in incorporating diversified solid-state battery technology routes and eVTOL scenarios into provincial-level action plans.

This week，the solid-state battery industry showed a dual-engine momentum driven by "intensive breakthroughs on the technology front and targeted solutions on the policy front." CATL disclosed a sulphide patent, Zhongkeyuanben's 20Ah all-solid-state battery passed third-party detection, and Dreame Technology released a 450Wh/kg product; Guangdong took the lead in incorporating diversified solid-state battery technology routes and eVTOL scenarios into provincial-level action plans.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Tuesday that Jaguar Land Rover is recalling 2,278 I-PACE all-electric SUVs in the US because their high-voltage batteries may overheat, increasing the risk of fire.

[CALB Secures a Major 30 Gwh Battery Order!] According to a report by South Korean media outlet newsis on June 12, industry insiders revealed that Hyundai Motor Group and CALB, China's third-largest battery manufacturer, signed a battery supply contract for 30 Gwh last month, which is sufficient to produce 38,000 medium-sized electric SUV IONIQ 5s. This collaboration marks a further step in Hyundai's diversification of its battery supply chain in China, as it includes CALB in its core supplier system for the first time, following CATL and BYD.

On June 10, FAW Toyota officially put its all-new mid-size electric SUV, the bZ5, onto the market, unveiling four initial variants: the 550 JOY, the 550 PRO, the 550 PRO Smart Drive, and the 630 PRO, ...

Li Auto Inc., a prominent player in China's new energy vehicle sector, reported vehicle deliveries of 40,856 units in May 2025, marking a 16.7% increase compared to the same period last year.

In May 2025, NIO Inc. (NIO or the company), a leading player in China's smart electric vehicle (EV) market, delivered 23,231 vehicles, representing a 13.1% year-on-year increase.

[Jiyao Tongxing, a battery company under Geely Group: Expected to achieve a battery capacity of 70 GWh by 2027] Zheng Xin, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Geely Holding Group, as well as CEO of Jiyao Tongxing, stated that Jiyao Tongxing will achieve a battery capacity of 70 GWh by 2027, with eight production sites in Tonglu, Quzhou, Jianhu, Ganzhou, Shangrao, Yingtan, Ningguo, and Zaozhuang. In terms of business model, Jiyao Tongxing will strive to explore vehicle-battery separation and battery swapping models, and establish a battery bank. Note from Xiaocai: Zhejiang Jiyao Tongxing Energy Technology Co., Ltd. ("Jiyao Tongxing" for short) is the main entity for Geely Holding Group's battery business. (Cailian Press) [Zhang Jinhua of China SAE: Strengthen OTA Upgrade Management and Clarify Corporate Safety Responsibilities] Zhang Jinhua, President of the China Society of Automotive Engineers (China SAE), pointed out in an article that with the accelerated integration of electrification, intelligence, and connectivity in the automotive industry, significant changes have occurred in the form of automotive products, and automotive software online upgrades (OTA upgrades) have been gradually widely applied in intelligent connected vehicle products. On the one hand, OTA upgrades can rapidly iterate product functions, optimize product performance, enhance user experience, and reshape product development models, becoming an important means for automotive producers to provide value-added services to consumers and enhance product competitiveness. On the other hand, unlike ordinary electronic consumer goods, automotive OTA upgrades, if lacking necessary supervision, may pose safety risks to vehicle operation and even endanger public safety. Zhang Jinhua stated that strengthening the management of automotive OTA upgrades and clarifying corporate safety responsibilities will provide important support for safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of consumers and social public safety. (Cailian Press) [Li Auto: The refreshed car models will return to a monthly sales level of 50,000 units, and sedan products will be launched based on market demand] The management of Li Auto stated during the Q1 earnings call that after the launch of the refreshed Li Auto car models, weekly sales have exceeded 10,000 units. As of May, the market share in the market segment above 200,000 yuan is 14.7%. Li Auto is confident that the refreshed car models will soon return to a monthly sales level of 50,000 units. After Li Auto's extended-range and pure electric SUVs, as well as the Li Auto MEGA, support an annual revenue of 300 billion yuan, MPV and sedan products will be launched based on market demand to meet the needs of the domestic market as well as important overseas markets. (Cailian Press) [CATL Signs Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Lanzhou for Zero-Carbon City] On May 29, CATL and the Lanzhou Municipal People's Government officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement. The two sides will deepen cooperation in three major areas: the construction of the aftermarket for new energy batteries, the electrification upgrade of comprehensive transportation, and the establishment of a zero-carbon city ecosystem. The two parties will also establish a zero-carbon urban ecosystem, integrating PV, ESS, and intelligent management technologies to create zero-carbon parks and build industries such as virtual power plants. They will construct city-level integrated demonstration stations for "PV, ESS, charging/swapping, and inspection". They will explore policies for the recycling of end-of-life batteries, jointly establish a battery recycling system and collaborative processing bases, and form a closed-loop value chain covering the entire life cycle. (Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily) [Zhonglun New Materials: BOPA film for solid-state batteries is in the early market promotion stage] Zhonglun New Materials stated on an interactive platform that the company's lithium battery film products, as the core substrate for pouch lithium battery aluminum-plastic films, have taken the lead in achieving localisation substitution and stable mass production. They have successfully entered the supply chain systems of domestic mainstream aluminum-plastic film producers such as Zijiang New Materials, PTL, and Crown. Recently, the company's R&D on BOPA film for solid-state batteries has achieved key breakthroughs. This product can be applied in the solid-state battery field through aluminum-plastic films and is currently in the early market promotion stage. (Finance News) [Lopal: Plans to increase capital investment by RMB370 million in its holding subsidiary Changzhou Liyuan] Lopal (603906.SH) announced that the company plans to use 80% of the funds raised from issuing H shares to increase capital investment in its holding subsidiary Changzhou Liyuan, with the amount equivalent to RMB369.7056 million. Of this, RMB55.5129 million will be credited to the registered capital, and the remaining RMB314.1927 million will be credited to the capital reserve. After the capital increase is completed, Changzhou Liyuan's registered capital will increase to RMB834.1276 million, and it will remain a holding subsidiary of the company. Changzhou Liyuan plans to use the increased capital to invest an additional $14 million in its holding grand subsidiary LBM NEW ENERGY (AP) PTE. LTD. This capital increase constitutes a related-party transaction and still needs to be submitted to the shareholders' meeting for approval. (Finance News) Related readings: [SMM Analysis] REPT Battero and Hyosung Heavy Industries reach a 2.5GWh ESS strategic cooperation [SMM Weekly Review] The lithium carbonate market remains weak, with supply-demand imbalance and weakening costs leading to continued price declines [SMM Analysis] Domestic lithium carbonate imports in April 2025 released April battery material import and export data released: Both spodumene and lithium carbonate imports increased, with the latter's exports surging! [SMM Special Report] Cobalt product quotes collectively decline, with refined cobalt falling by RMB6,200 and cobalt smelters' willingness to sell increasing [Weekly Observation] Spot price of refined cobalt falls [SMM Weekly Review of Refined Cobalt Market] [SMM Weekly Review] Lithium carbonate prices continue to decline, with the short-term market still under pressure [SMM Analysis] Can titanium-doped iron phosphate be the perfect upgrade for the high-end development path? [SMM Analysis] China's lithium hydroxide exports reached 4,222 mt in April, basically flat MoM [SMM Analysis] China's imports of cobalt intermediate products increased slightly in April [SMM Analysis] Both China's unwrought cobalt exports and imports surged in April 2025 [SMM Analysis] China's total spodumene imports amounted to 623,000 mt in April, up 16.5% MoM [SMM Analysis] Both China's artificial graphite imports and exports increased MoM in April [SMM Data] LiPF6 import and export data for April 2025 [SMM Analysis] Analysis of ternary cathode precursor exports in April [SMM Analysis] Ternary cathode import and export volumes for April released, with imports up 37% MoM and exports up 13% MoM [SMM Announcement] Adjustments to weekly lithium carbonate data points before and after the Labour Day holiday Driven by multiple positive factors! The auto parts sector surged with over 12 stocks hitting daily limits! [Hot Stocks] Refined cobalt prices slightly recovered, while Co3O4 prices continued to decline. The market awaits the aftermath of the DRC's June ban. [Weekly Observations] [SMM Industry Insights] Global cobalt industry chain changes and Chinese market outlook following the DRC's cobalt export ban - Key points from the special speech by Wang Cong, General Manager of SMM Industry Research Tariff suspension spurs lithium carbonate futures to rise over 3%. Can the expectation of a rush in exports help lithium carbonate "stand up"? [SMM Flash News] Retail sales growth of passenger vehicles in April hit a new decade-high, with auto production and sales exceeding 10 million units in the first four months! [SMM Special Report]

On May 23, GAC Group officially launched its brand presence and introduced five new models in Brazil at Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo, marking a significant milestone in the company's global strategy...