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.

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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.

SMM January 21 news: Dealers in Hunan reported that as temperatures drop, replacement demand for automotive batteries has relatively improved, and battery sales have also rebounded. Current battery inventory is about one and a half months. Considering subsequent Chinese New Year logistics suspensions and enterprise holidays, they plan to stockpile appropriately before the Chinese New Year. Manufacturers in Zhejiang reported that domestic demand in the automotive battery market is moderate, and due to seasonal demand improvement, dealer purchasing enthusiasm is slightly better. However, exports are hindered by factors such as tariffs. Currently, the plant operating rate is maintained at 80-90%. Manufacturers in Jiangxi reported that overall demand in the automotive battery market is average, especially because the price spread between domestic and overseas markets for lead has resulted in higher battery production costs compared to overseas, leading to greater pressure on battery exports. To avoid inventory accumulation, the current plant operating rate is 70-80%. Additionally, recent lead ingot price fluctuations have been significant, so short-term lead ingot procurement is mainly based on long-term contracts.

SMM January 16: Dealers in Jiangxi reported relatively improved end-use consumption in the automotive battery market. However, due to higher battery purchases during the year-end period, battery inventory remained above two months. Meanwhile, battery selling prices showed no change, with the main model 6-QW-45Ah wholesaling at 160-180 yuan per unit. Manufacturers in Zhejiang indicated moderate domestic demand for automotive batteries. However, battery exports continued to be affected by factors such as differences in lead costs between domestic and international markets and tariffs, resulting in poor performance of export orders. Currently, factories produce based on sales, maintaining their operating rates at around 80%. Manufacturers in Hebei reported that the automotive battery market is in the peak replacement season, with finished product orders stable and rising. Currently, factory production lines are operating at full capacity. Additionally, due to high lead prices, raw material lead procurement is primarily based on long-term contracts.

According to reports, the SMM weekly comprehensive operating rate for lead-acid battery enterprises in five provinces was 70.77% from January 9 to 15, 2026, up 4.18 percentage points WoW. This week, as the impact of the New Year's Day holiday completely subsided, lead-acid battery producers resumed normal production, and the weekly operating rate increased accordingly. However, it is worth noting that the current weekly operating rate of lead-acid battery producers has not returned to pre-holiday levels, mainly due to sluggish consumption in the e-bike lead-acid battery market, poor enterprise orders, and production enthusiasm lower than in December. The operating rate of medium and large enterprises ranged from 60% to 80%, with a few even considering early holidays before the Chinese New Year. Meanwhile, orders for automotive batteries and ESS batteries remained relatively stable, and production at medium and large enterprises was moderate. However, due to changes in tariff policies, orders for some export-oriented enterprises were sluggish, resulting in significant differences in operating rates among producers.

This week, end-use consumption in the lead-acid battery market showed no significant changes. As the year-end period approached, lead-acid battery enterprises successively conducted inventory checks and closed for holidays. Meanwhile, some companies implemented sales promotions on finished batteries, such as hosting live-streaming sales events, to boost annual production and sales. Dealers purchased according to demand, resulting in a transfer of battery inventory from factory warehouses to dealers. On the production side, orders for e-bike lead-acid batteries were weaker than those for automotive batteries, and the New Year holiday period for e-bike battery producers was significantly longer. Purchasing by downstream enterprises gradually halted, leading to sluggish trading in the lead spot market this week.