[Client Orders Stalled, Panasonic EV Battery Production Delayed Again] Panasonic Holdings' subsidiary Panasonic Energy once again postponed its mass production plan for a new-type EV battery, as it is currently awaiting formal purchase orders from its major client. Panasonic Energy stated in July last year that it was waiting for the client's final feedback on the battery and planned to begin mass production by month-end of March. According to people familiar with the matter, as of now, Panasonic Energy has still not received production approval from the client.

Frontier Lithium announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Panasonic Energy and Mitsubishi Corporation to explore potential collaboration in developing the North American battery supply chain. Under the agreement, Panasonic Energy has expressed interest in procuring lithium hydroxide from the PAK Lithium Project in Ontario, Canada. The project, which is being advanced through a joint venture between Frontier and Mitsubishi, plans to develop an upstream lithium mine and mill as well as a downstream lithium conversion facility. The project is expected to begin producing approximately 20,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium salts annually starting in 2030.

Panasonic has launched a new home fuel cell system for detached houses, designed to boost solar self-consumption through HEMS‑based smart scheduling. The unit generates electricity and heat from gas, supports demand response, and can supply emergency power during outages.

As the world focuses on climate change and pursues sustainable development, countries are actively promoting the transformation of their energy structures. The involvement of new energy vehicle (NEV) enterprises in the eVTOL sector is emerging as a major trend in the current transportation landscape, highlighting the importance of integrating these two fields. What sparks will fly when electric vehicles (EVs) meet the low-altitude economy? This event, centered around the entire industry chain of NEV & eVTOL electric drive systems, will focus on areas such as "power systems, electric drives, motor and electronic control, low-altitude aircraft, and innovative raw materials." It will feature a high-quality opening ceremony, a high-level dinner, an awards ceremony, procurement and supply business matchmaking, a study tour of the new energy industry, and "1+2+3" themed forums. Hosted by SMM and with grand participation from Hunan Jinci New Material Technology Co., Ltd., the "2025 SMM (4th) Electric Drive System Conference" will be held on June 20-21, 2025, in Loudi, Hunan Province. The theme of this conference is "New Quality Drives, Low-Altitude Takeoff." We extend a special invitation to enterprises in the low-altitude sector and the NEV industry chain to join us, alongside industry leaders, in building the 2025 SMM (4th) Electric Drive System Conference into a vital platform for the rapid development of the new energy industry. Click the registration form to register for the conference immediately. We look forward to meeting you there. Booth Number: C7 Hunan Jinci New Material Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech smart manufacturing company located in the picturesque and conveniently accessible "Materials Valley" of the Loudi Economic and Technological Development Zone. It specializes in the R&D of magnetic materials, silicon steel production, silicon steel slitting, core stamping, stator winding, rotor aluminum casting, and the production of metal magnetic iron-silicon-aluminum powder. The company covers an area of 200 acres, with nearly 100,000 m² dedicated to factory buildings. It is affiliated with Jinci Group, founded in 1992 in Chicago, US, by dual Ph.D. holder Xie Jinqiang. The group established the JQM brand and owns seven companies, forming a modern conglomerate that integrates magnetic material manufacturing, silicon steel production, core stamping, steel trading, non-ferrous metal trading, and asset management. Its major clients include internationally and domestically renowned enterprises such as General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Harman, Midea, Gree, and Panasonic. By integrating the group's market and technological resources, the company plans a total investment of 3.2 billion yuan to establish a base with an annual silicon steel production capacity of 600,000 mt and a motor core stamping capacity of 400,000 mt. It aims to become a high-tech smart manufacturing company with an annual output value exceeding 10 billion yuan in the fields of "new materials, new energy, functional materials, and magnetic materials." (Left: YBPKK high-voltage motor stator core, Right: YBPKK high-voltage motor cast aluminum rotor core) (Left: YKK high-voltage motor stator core (2), Right: YKK high-voltage motor stator core) (Left: Sector-shaped stator core of high-torque permanent magnet motor, Right: Rotor core of high-torque permanent magnet motor) (Left: Stator core of low-voltage large-power motor, Right: Core of permanent magnet motor for NEV) The company currently owns over 80 sets of equipment, including high-speed punching machines for high-speed stamping, blanking single punching, slot punching, compound high-speed punching, stator pressing, vertical/centrifugal aluminum casting, laser cutting, silicon steel slitting equipment, and general-purpose machine tools for mold repairing. It has obtained ISO9001 quality management system, ISO14001 environmental management system, and OHSAS18001 occupational health and safety management system certifications. The company's main products include motor core series for NEVs, household motor core series, industrial motor core series, and large-scale wind turbine generator core series. Become China's most excellent motor core supplier! Click here to participate in the 2025 SMM (4th) Electric Drive System Conference immediately SMM Conference Contact Person Fan Cui 13816522387 fancui@smm.cn

From January to April 2025, global (excluding China) power battery installations reached 132.6 GWh, up 26.8% YoY.

On June 4, South Korean research institution SNE Research released the latest data on global power battery installations from January to April 2025. The data showed that from January to April 2025, global power battery installations reached 308.5 GWh, up 40.2% YoY.

SMM News on May 30: To gain in-depth insights into the cutting-edge technologies and market trends of motor cores, strengthen the integration of upstream and downstream resources, and empower the efficient, intelligent, and green transformation of the motor industry, a delegation led by Xu De'an, Director of the Marketing Department, and Fan Cui, Director of the Motor Business Department, from SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM), visited Hunan Jinci New Material Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Hunan Jinci") on May 26. Xie Jinqiang, Chairman of Hunan Jinci, warmly received the delegation. Both parties engaged in pragmatic and in-depth exchanges on the development of the silicon steel industry, core technological innovations in motor cores, market challenges and opportunities, as well as future cooperation directions. In the face of stringent requirements for motor core performance (high magnetic induction, low iron loss, and high dimensional accuracy) and green manufacturing processes in fields such as new energy vehicles (NEVs), high-efficiency industrial motors, and high-end home appliances, collaborative innovation across the industry chain is crucial. This exchange was highly productive, significantly enhancing mutual trust and consensus between SMM and Hunan Jinci, and paving the way for the two parties to establish a close cooperative relationship. As an industry-leading information and service platform, SMM highly recognizes Hunan Jinci's technological strength and development potential, and looks forward to complementary advantages between the two parties. They expect to conduct in-depth cooperation in promoting technological upgrades of motor cores, expanding application scenarios, enhancing the competitiveness of the industry chain, and jointly contributing to the green and high-quality development of China's high-end manufacturing industry. Hunan Jinci New Material Technology Co., Ltd. Hunan Jinci New Material Technology Co., Ltd., located in the picturesque and conveniently accessible "Materials Valley" of the Loudi Economic and Technological Development Zone, is a high-tech intelligent manufacturing company integrating the R&D of magnetic materials, silicon steel production, silicon steel slitting, core stamping, stator winding, rotor aluminum casting, and the production of metal magnetic iron-silicon-aluminum powder. It covers an area of 200 acres, with nearly 100,000 m² of factory space. The company is affiliated with the Jinci Group, founded by Dr. Xie Jinqiang in Chicago, US, in 1992. The group has established the JQM brand and owns seven companies, forming a modern conglomerate currently engaged in magnetic material manufacturing, silicon steel production, core stamping, steel trading, non-ferrous metal trading, and asset management. Its major clients include well-known international and domestic enterprises such as General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Harman, Midea, Gree, and Panasonic. The company is integrating the group's market and technological resources, with a proposed total investment of 3.2 billion yuan, to build a motor core stamping base with an annual silicon steel production capacity of 600,000 mt and 400,000 mt, and to establish a high-tech intelligent manufacturing company with an annual output value exceeding 10 billion yuan in "new materials, new energy, functional materials, and magnetic materials." (Left: YBPKK high-voltage motor stator core, Right: YBPKK high-voltage motor cast aluminum rotor core) (Left: YKK high-voltage motor stator core, Right: YKK high-voltage motor stator core (2)) (Left: High-torque permanent magnet motor sector stator core, Right: High-torque permanent magnet motor rotor core) (Left: Low-voltage large power motor stator core, Right: NEV permanent magnet motor core) The company currently owns over 80 sets of equipment, including high-speed punching machines for blanking, high-speed punching machines for notching, compound high-speed punching machines, stator pressing machines, vertical/centrifugal aluminum casting machines, laser cutting machines, silicon steel slitting machines, and general-purpose machine tools for die repair. It has obtained ISO9001 quality management system, ISO14001 environmental management system, and OHSAS18001 occupational health and safety management system certifications. The company's main products include motor core series for NEVs, household motor core series, industrial motor core series, and large-scale wind turbine generator core series. Strive to be China's most outstanding motor core supplier! SMM Conference Contact Person: Cui Fan Tel: 13816522387 Email: fancui@smm.cn

2025 (Phase IV) SMM Southeast Asia Industry Field Trip Amidst the ever-changing global economic landscape, manufacturing enterprises worldwide are facing unprecedented challenges. The macroeconomic environment remains volatile, with frequent geopolitical conflicts and rising trade protectionism, leading to sharp fluctuations in industrial material prices and making cost control difficult. The domestic market is experiencing intense competition, with significant overcapacity issues. Enterprises are struggling to survive amid cut-throat competition, with profit margins continuously being squeezed. Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian market is emerging as a rising star, brimming with potential. Its rapid economic growth and accelerated urbanization process, coupled with increasing investments in infrastructure, power engineering, and other sectors, have significantly stimulated demand for industrial products. Southeast Asia's abundant mineral resources also provide a solid raw material foundation for the development of the local manufacturing industry. Additionally, favorable local policies and significant labor cost advantages are attracting global capital and enterprises to establish a presence in the region. To help manufacturing enterprises seize the opportunities of the times and break through development bottlenecks, SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM) has meticulously organized the 2025 (Phase IV) SMM Southeast Asia Industry Field Trip . This field trip will delve deep into Southeast Asia, facilitating face-to-face exchanges with local high-quality enterprises, industrial parks, and industry associations. It will involve on-site visits to enterprises within the industry chain, enabling enterprises to gain a deeper understanding of Southeast Asia's industrial landscape, market dynamics, policies and regulations, as well as the investment environment. The aim is to build a bridge for enterprises to access the Southeast Asian market, explore cooperation opportunities, expand new business territories, tap into new growth momentum for industry development in this vibrant region, and achieve enterprise transformation, upgrading, and leapfrog development. Itinerary Visited Entities 1. Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone The Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone is a modern industrial zone developed jointly by China's Holley Group and Thailand's Amata Corporation in Thailand, targeting Chinese investors. With a total planned area of 20 km², it is located in the core area of Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor. A large number of outstanding enterprises have already settled in the zone (including Zhejiang Zhongce, Zhejiang DunAn, Shenzhen CIMC, Jiangsu Dingsheng, AUX, and Dejinchang, among others). As a highly representative industrial zone in Thailand, we will engage in discussions with zone staff on topics such as the zone's basic information, the operational status of settled enterprises, and investment attraction policies. 2. Dejinchang Optoelectronics Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. It is the first overseas branch factory invested by Zhenxiong Copper Group. Established in March 2007 and officially put into operation the same year, it is located in the Amata Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone, covering an area of approximately 100,000 m² with a building area of about 48,000 m². Its registered capital is 460 million Thai baht, and the total investment is 3 billion Thai baht. The company is primarily engaged in the development and production of new materials for deep processing of various copper conductors (various copper wires). Its main products are copper wires, ranging from copper cathode to various types of copper wires, including bare copper wires, tinned wires, silver-plated wires, nickel-plated wires, alloy wires, as well as various specifications of single wires, stranded wires, and twisted wires. As a typical representative of copper wire drawing enterprises going global, we will exchange experiences and insights with Dejinchang on settling down, taking root, and developing in Southeast Asia, and seek business cooperation opportunities. 3. XINYA ELECTRONIC (THAILAND) CO., LTD The main businesses of Xinya Electronics and its series of subsidiaries include the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of consumer electronics and industrial control cables, automotive cables, communication cables and data cables, new energy series cables and components, etc. The company's end-user clients include well-known domestic and overseas brands such as Hisense, Gree, Midea, Daikin, Canon, Panasonic, Great Wall Motors, General Motors, BYD, NIO, Inspur, Huawei, Dell, HP, ZTE, CHINT, LONGi Group, Hengyineng, East, KUKA, and YASKAWA. We will head to this world-renowned electronic wire manufacturing enterprise. Please look forward to the spark of ideas and business opportunities that will emerge on-site. 4. C&D Inc. Xiamen C&D Inc. (stock code: 600153.SH) is a core member enterprise of Xiamen C&D Group Co., Ltd., a "Fortune Global 500" company. It is a modern service-oriented enterprise with dual main businesses of supply chain operations and real estate development. The company's business began in 1980 and was established and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in June 1998, initiated by Xiamen C&D Group Co., Ltd. In 2024, the company achieved operating revenue of RMB 701.296 billion and after-tax net profit of RMB 5.82 billion. As a supply chain company, C&D Inc. has long-standing presence and extensive resources in Southeast Asia. We will conduct in-depth exchanges with C&D Inc. in Southeast Asia to explore solutions for capital, logistics, and industrial resources in the Southeast Asian industry, and establish effective communication channels for long-term cooperation. 5. WHA Industrial Estates WHA Corporation Public Company Limited develops and operates 12 major industrial estates in Thailand, all of which are strategically located. The group has held the largest market share since 2008. WH currently has 12 operational industrial zones, with 11 in Thailand and 1 in Vietnam, and another 3 industrial zones are still under development. The industrial zones developed and constructed by WHA Group are mainly located in the eastern coastal region of Thailand and have currently formed numerous industrial clusters, including export-oriented industries such as automotive, petrochemical, electronics, and consumer goods. As an industrial estate with a broad scope of operations, WHA Industrial Estates has unique insights into the industrial development and policies of various regions in Southeast Asia. During our exchanges, we will learn about the enterprises that have already settled in the estate, WHA's investment attraction policies, and its insights into industrial development. 6. Malaysia Non-Ferrous Metals Association The Malaysia Non-Ferrous Metals Association (MNMA) was established to integrate the entire non-ferrous metals industry in Malaysia under one entity. Under this unified entity, the objectives are: to coordinate with government authorities and standardize the import codes for non-ferrous metals, particularly in relation to hazardous and non-hazardous waste; to serve as a communication bridge between industry participants and government authorities to promote aligned goals; to educate and self-regulate members in compliance with regulations, especially those related to environmental aspects; to drive the vibrant development of the upstream industry, thereby encouraging downstream investors to invest in Malaysia; to embrace global changes through interactive cooperation and collaborate with other associations worldwide; and to envision Malaysia as the central hub for the non-ferrous metals industry in Southeast Asia. During this exchange, we will listen to the representatives of the association as they introduce Malaysia's industrial blueprint, gain a detailed understanding of Malaysia's industrial planning, and refine each representative's future strategic planning in Malaysia through our exchanges. 7. METROD(MALAYSIA) SDN BHD METROD(MALAYSIA) SDN BHD is a leading manufacturer of copper rods, copper pipes & tubes, and copper busbars in Malaysia. The company commenced operations in 1981 and was listed on the Main Board of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 1996. Metrod's high-quality copper products are widely used in numerous applications, including power generation, transmission, and distribution, telecommunications, lightning protection, welding, electronic and automotive parts, electromagnetic coils, motors, compressors, transformers, and more. As a typical representative of local copper rod suppliers in Malaysia, we will engage in in-depth exchanges with METROD(MALAYSIA) SDN BHD and strive to reach cooperation in suitable areas for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. 8. Zhejiang Gang Lian Jie (Malaysia) Logistics Technology Co., Ltd. Zhejiang Gang Lian Jie (Malaysia) Logistics Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2023, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zhejiang Gang Lian Jie Logistics Technology Co., Ltd. and falls under the Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group system, making it a state-controlled enterprise. The company primarily engages in international freight forwarding for import and export. It extends the standardized processes and management systems within the recycled metals industry to Malaysia, using Malaysia as a hub to radiate throughout Southeast Asia and carry out related businesses. This encompasses international multimodal transport, covering bulk raw materials such as non-ferrous metals, plastic pellets, cold chain products, pulp, and glycerin. Gang Lianjie will introduce the import and export policies of various Southeast Asian countries during the exchange, with detailed answers provided for areas that differ from China. They can also offer one-stop customs services. (More visiting organizations will be updated continuously...) The following are optional itineraries (participation is voluntary, and a separate conference fee is required for attendance). 1. 2025 SMM (2nd) Global Renewable Metal Industry Chain Summit (An additional conference fee of 5,000 yuan is required). Conference Time: June 12-13, 2025 Conference Venue: Hyatt Regency Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand Conference Official Website: https://global-renewable-metal-industry-chain-summit.smm.cn/home The 2024 SMM 1st Global Renewable Metal Industry Forum was held in Malaysia. The conference gathered recycling associations, government officials, and renowned enterprises in the renewable sector from various regions to discuss the current state and future development of the renewable industry. From 2024 to 2025, renewable metal policies have been continuously updated, and the industry has witnessed rapid development. To assist enterprises in navigating the changes in the renewable industry, align with industry standardization requirements, and provide a platform for business exchanges, SMM plans to hold the 2025 SMM 2nd Global Renewable Metal Industry Chain Summit in Thailand from June 12-13, 2025. At this conference, you will efficiently gain access to customer resources, industry reports, and interpretations of renewable policies from various regions globally in the renewable metal and battery recycling industries. It is suitable for organizations and individuals concerned about renewable metals to participate. 2. 2025 SMM Southeast Asia (Thailand) Automotive Supply Chain Conference (An additional conference fee of 7,000 yuan is required). Conference Time: June 16-17, 2025 Conference Venue: Hyatt Regency Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, Thailand Conference Official Website: https://automotive-supply-chain.smm.cn/home In recent years, Southeast Asia has gradually become a crucial link in the global automotive industry due to its unique geographical advantages, abundant resources, and vast consumer market, offering rich supply and demand opportunities. As a regional leader, Thailand has attracted the attention of numerous Chinese NEV manufacturers. At this conference, SMM will invite experts, scholars, enterprise representatives, and government officials from the domestic and overseas automotive industries to participate, jointly explore new trends and models in the development of the automotive industry, share the latest technologies and innovative achievements, promote collaborative development and cooperation in the automotive industry, and facilitate the improvement and enhancement of the industry chain. Meanwhile, we hope that through this conference, we can help Chinese automotive industry chain enterprises better understand the overseas investment environment, leverage the complementary advantages of different countries and regions within the automotive industry, and jointly promote the healthy and sustainable development of the automotive industry. At this conference, you will efficiently gain access to customer resources, industry reports, and opportunities to discuss new materials, processes, and technologies in the automotive and supply chain industries. It is suitable for organizations and individuals interested in the automotive industry to participate. Note: Assembly point for the inspection tour: Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand For more information about the 2025 (Phase IV) SMM Southeast Asia Industry Inspection Tour , please contact: De'an Xu: 166.0190.90 Email: xudean@smm.cn

[Panasonic Home Appliance China and Alibaba Cloud Reach AI Cooperation Agreement] On May 30, Panasonic Home Appliance (China) Co., Ltd. and Alibaba Cloud officially announced the signing of an AI cooperation agreement. The two parties will jointly explore the creation of AI agents tailored for the vertical field of home appliances, cultivate AI application technology talents, and promote the globalization process of the home appliance industry.

The company is advancing the Phase III 'High-Grade Lithium Battery New Energy Materials Production Line Construction Project' of Ya'an Lithium Industry. In 2024, it completed the construction and commissioning of a 30,000 mt lithium carbonate production line. Currently, it is constructing a 30,000 mt lithium hydroxide production line. It is expected that by the end of 2025, the company's comprehensive capacity for lithium chemicals will reach nearly 130,000 mt," Yahua Group revealed recently when accepting a survey from investment institutions.