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 News] It is reported that recently, Foton Zhengda Automobile Co., Ltd. and Camel Group officially reached a designated project cooperation, and the battery supplier for Foton's commercial vehicles in Thailand will be switched to automotive batteries under Camel Group. This cooperation marks the official entry of Camel batteries into Foton's supply system in Thailand, with large-scale mass production expected to be achieved in August 2025.

[SMM News] It is reported that recently, Foton Zhengda Automobile Co., Ltd. and Camel Group officially reached a designated project cooperation, and the battery supplier for Foton's commercial vehicles in Thailand will be switched to automotive batteries under Camel Group. This cooperation marks the official entry of Camel batteries into Foton's supply system in Thailand, with large-scale mass production expected to be achieved in August 2025.

This week, there have been no significant changes in end-use consumption in the lead-acid battery market. Dealers are experiencing slow inventory digestion, with inventory levels ranging from half a month to over two months. In some regions, flash sales have reappeared, such as the promotional price of 270-280 yuan per group for the wholesale price of 48V12Ah e-bike batteries. The wholesale market for automotive batteries is also in a promotional atmosphere. Especially after the decline in lead prices, there is a strong risk-averse sentiment in the industry. Retailers are controlling inventory levels, buying only as needed and selling immediately, making it difficult for dealers to destock. Additionally, producers are generally adopting a produce-based-on-sales strategy. After the decline in lead prices during the week, some downstream buyers purchased on a dip-buying basis as needed, and market trading activity has relatively improved compared to WoW.

SMM reported on May 6: Dealers in Zhejiang region reflected that the replacement demand for automotive batteries was weak, and retailers were cautious in purchasing. Currently, the inventory of finished batteries is nearly 2 months. The wholesale price of the main model 6-QW-60Ah is 190-210 yuan per unit. Manufacturers in Jiangxi region reported that the demand for automotive batteries was sluggish, and there was no significant improvement in finished product orders. To reduce inventory pressure, the factory took a 7-day holiday during the Labour Day holiday. The factory resumed operations today, and short-term battery production will mainly consume the previous lead ingot inventory. Manufacturers in Hubei region reported that the automotive battery market is in the off-season, and dealers are cautious in purchasing. At the same time, vehicle matching orders are also limited. Currently, the factory operating rate is around 90%, and raw material lead is mainly purchased through long-term contracts. 》Order and view SMM metal spot historical prices

[SMM Announcement] SMM Adds New Price Points for Waste Lead-Acid Batteries in Jiangxi Region: Dear Users, Greetings! The secondary lead capacity in Jiangxi region, after experiencing a low point, is now in a phase of recovery and growth. Currently, the annual scrap processing capacity in this region exceeds 1 million mt, accounting for approximately 6.8% of the national total. Additionally, due to its proximity to Anhui province, a major secondary lead production area, enterprises across the lead industry chain have shown significant interest. To help market participants better grasp the market trends of waste lead-acid battery recycling, provide references for enterprise pricing and settlement, and reduce transaction risks and costs, SMM, after thorough market research and analysis, has decided to add three types of waste lead-acid battery prices for the Jiangxi region: waste battery (Jiangxi), waste starter lead-acid battery (black shell) (Jiangxi), and waste automotive lead-acid battery (white shell) (Jiangxi). These new price points will officially take effect on April 28, 2025.

SMM Analysis: Can Lead Prices Hold the 17,000 Yuan/mt Threshold Amid "Internal and External Challenges"? SMM, April 2: Recently, the price center of lead has gradually shifted downward. The most-traded SHFE lead 2505 contract successively broke through the 5-day, 10-day, 20-day, and 40-day daily average lines. As of 15:00 on April 2, SHFE lead closed at 17,360 yuan/mt, down 0.26%. Meanwhile, the US tariff hike incident has intensified...

SMM3 March 28: Dealers in Jiangxi reported weak end-use consumption in the automotive battery market, with slow inventory digestion. Intense competition among major brands has maintained promotional activities in the battery wholesale market, such as 6-QW-45Ah priced at 160-180 yuan per unit. Manufacturers in Chongqing noted a decline in replacement demand for automotive batteries, leading to a drop in battery orders. The company initiated promotions for batteries in early March, but rising raw material costs for antimony and tin have increased sales cost pressure, potentially prompting a suspension of battery promotions in April. Manufacturers in Zhejiang indicated that the automotive battery market has entered the traditional off-season, with dealers being cautious in procurement. Additionally, the high SHFE/LME price ratio for lead has made battery production costs higher than in overseas markets, adversely affecting battery exports. Currently, factories are producing based on sales, with operating rates at 60-70%. 》Order and view SMM metal spot historical prices