Morrow begins LFP cell deliveries to Proventia
Morrow has begun delivering prismatic LFP cells to Proventia under a supply agreement through 2031, and the firms have established technical collaboration as Morrow has scaled production at its Arendal factory to serve industrial battery module programmes.
Volkswagen considers China-developed EVs for Europe
Volkswagen has said it has considered bringing China-developed electric vehicles to Europe, has presented several China-only models and has reported a drop in first-quarter operating profit amid intensified competition and weaker demand.
Hormuz disruptions strain base oil supplies for luxury cars
Strait of Hormuz disruptions have triggered a global shortage of Group III base oils and have driven record price rises, which have constrained synthetic lubricant production for high‑performance automotive engines and have prompted export limits.
BYD in talks to use part of Volkswagen’s Dresden plant
BYD has held talks with Volkswagen to take over part of the Dresden Transparent Factory and has proposed investing to manufacture electric vehicles, while Volkswagen and regional partners have planned an innovation hub on the remaining site.
Rivian reduces DOE loan to $4.5bn, revises plant capacity
Rivian has renegotiated its Department of Energy loan to $4.5bn, has accelerated drawdown to 2027 and has revised Georgia plant capacity to 300,000 vehicles, and has confirmed R2 production is on track for late 2028 amid uncertain EV demand.
BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme sold for US$2.76m
BYD has sold a Yangwang U9 Xtreme for over 20m yuan (US$2.76m) at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, has delivered at least one unit and has established the model as the company’s most expensive production vehicle.
Schaeffler launches MultiMode DHT into volume production
Schaeffler has launched its MultiMode DHT into volume production with multiple manufacturers, has presented hybrid components including a spoke damper and camshaft phasing in production, and has projected hybrids will represent about 30% of global output by 2035.
Bollinger Motors assets and 20 B4 trucks to be auctioned
Bollinger Motors has scheduled the sale of manufacturing assets and 20 2025 B4 Class 4 electric trucks at a public auction on 13 May, with equipment at Oak Park, Michigan and Tunica, Mississippi.
OCSiAl expands TUBALL SWCNT portfolio; doubles capacity
OCSiAl has launched a TUBALL SWCNT dispersion portfolio, has expanded synthesis capacity and has targeted silicon‑rich anodes, Li‑CMC binders, high‑energy cathodes and solid‑state batteries; it has also scaled dispersion production across Europe and Asia.
EU reviews BYD labour allegations at Hungary plant
European institutions have raised scrutiny after a watchdog has alleged extended work hours and labour abuses at BYD's Hungary factory, prompting MEPs to query the European Commission; BYD's rapid expansion in Europe has been noted amid ongoing inquiries.
CATL and HyperStrong sign 60 GWh sodium‑ion battery deal
CATL and HyperStrong have signed a three‑year agreement for 60 GWh of sodium‑ion batteries, have positioned the technology for commercial deployment and have cited manufacturing advances and supply‑chain compatibility to support large‑scale energy‑storage applications.
Toyota and CATL to Produce Hybrid Batteries in Indonesia
Toyota has partnered with CATL to produce hybrid battery cells and modules in Indonesia and has announced that exports of complete packs and components have been scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.
PLS to trial electric kiln for low-emissions lithium
PLS has secured a $38 million ARENA grant and has announced a demonstration plant to test electric-kiln processing for low-emissions lithium phosphate, has signed an offtake with Ningbo Ronbay and has targeted 3,000 tonnes per year.
Rivian begins R2 production at Normal plant
Rivian has begun production of its R2 electric SUV at Normal, Illinois, with customer deliveries scheduled this spring; the initial $58,000 Launch Package has been offered, while a $45,000 variant has been deferred to late 2027.
CATL to mass-produce sodium-ion batteries by 2026
CATL has announced that its sodium-ion batteries have been slated for mass production by 2026, has reported resolution of core manufacturing challenges and has initiated commercial deployment while noting energy density has remained about 175 Wh/kg.
CIRAMM expands applied research in aerospace and defence
CIRAMM has enhanced applied research capacity in aerospace, defence and manufacturing, has established five specialised laboratories, has formed industry and NATO DIANA partnerships, and has pursued ISO accreditation to support testing, materials development and AI‑enabled manufacturing.
Construction begins on Nowra electric bus facility
Construction has begun on a 6,000-square-metre Nowra facility by Foton, which has been contracted to deliver 128 electric buses for Transport for NSW’s Zero Emissions Bus programme and has projected employment to rise to 127.
Mapei starts A$60m Truganina manufacturing plant
Mapei has commenced construction of an A$60m manufacturing facility in Truganina, Melbourne, to supply high-performance materials to Victorian infrastructure projects; commissioning, recruitment and training have been initiated ahead of a planned 2026 opening.
John Deere awards $2.7m grant to FIRST
John Deere has awarded FIRST a $2.7m, three‑year grant, has mobilised over 500 employee volunteers and has expanded robotics programmes that have aimed to develop technical and collaborative skills for agriculture, manufacturing and construction careers.
Tornado damages Rivian factory in Normal, Illinois
Rivian has said a tornado has damaged part of its Normal, Illinois, factory used for R2 parts storage; Building 2 has been closed for assessment, other plant operations have continued and no injuries have been reported.
Rivian and Redwood deploy 10 MWh second-life battery storage
Rivian and Redwood have deployed a 10 MWh second‑life battery system at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois factory, integrating more than 100 retired packs to supply on‑site peak demand, reduce grid purchases and enable scalable reuse before recycling.
Lightship expands Colorado manufacturing facility
Lightship has begun expanding its Colorado manufacturing footprint from 32,000 to about 76,000 sq ft, has announced measures to quadruple production capacity by the end of 2026, and has introduced a simplified AE.1 model with a standard 77 kWh battery.
BYD hits 16m NEV milestone, Denza D9 enters production
BYD has recorded its 16 millionth NEV as the first second-generation Denza D9 has entered production, featuring an updated Blade Battery, flash-charging and God’s Eye 5.0, and has been positioned for premium domestic and overseas expansion.
XCharge opens assembly plant in Valencia, Spain
XCharge North America has opened a 3,000-square-metre assembly and testing plant in Valencia, Spain, to produce its C7 and GridLink hardware and to diversify its global supply chain, supporting North American operations.
Svolt begins mass production of 80 kWh PHEV battery
Svolt has started mass production of an 80 kWh plug-in hybrid battery, has reported a capacity increase from 59 kWh to 80 kWh, has positioned it for large SUVs, and has remained a mid‑tier supplier in China's battery market.
Ammann displays roadbuilding equipment at SMOPYC 2026
Ammann has showcased paving machines, adjustable tamper screeds, rollers and asphalt-mixing and drying technologies at SMOPYC 2026, and has highlighted RAP-capable plants, EU Stage V engines and features designed to improve efficiency and material sustainability.
Slate closes $650m Series C for electric pickup
Slate has closed a $650 million Series C to advance production of its low-cost electric pickup, has taken over 160,000 reservations and has projected first deliveries for late 2026 and has announced plant investment and service partnerships.
Platinum constraints and cost challenges in hydrogen
Market analysts have reported that high green hydrogen production costs and platinum supply constraints have limited PEM fuel cell deployment, have created regional market divergence and have slowed project implementation despite technological improvements and varying policy support.
Greater Bay Technology produces A-sample solid-state cells
Greater Bay Technology has produced A-sample all-solid-state cells using a composite deep-eutectic electrolyte and has reported advances in safety, energy density, charging rate and cycle life, and has targeted GWh-scale production and vehicle installations in 2026.
Fire at BYD Pingshan parking garage contained
Authorities and BYD have confirmed the fire at the Pingshan facility has been contained and has caused no casualties. The affected multi-level parking garage has been reported to store test and scrapped vehicles, and no production impact has been disclosed.
ViscoTec introduces ViscoTreat-I slurry feeding system
ViscoTec has introduced ViscoTreat-I, a mobile unit that has combined buffering, conditioning and pulsation‑free slurry delivery for small‑scale lithium‑ion electrode coating, and has included optional recirculation, inline degassing and design features for cleanability and operator access.
Ineos Automotive plans US production and breakeven
Ineos Automotive has produced over 35,000 off-road vehicles since 2022, has said it has been considering US production, has targeted break-even this year and has forecast a 30-35% rise in US sales.
Chery outlines joint-venture globalisation with Freelander
Chery has said Chinese automakers have entered a new era of joint ventures, shifting from export-led growth to locally produced, technology-led globalisation; the Freelander joint venture with Jaguar Land Rover has been launched and risks have been noted.
China shifts sodium-ion cathodes towards polyanion NFPP
Shanghai Metals Market has reported that polyanion NFPP cathodes have accounted for over 70% of output in late 2025 and early 2026, while layered oxide share has declined as energy-storage demand and cost considerations have driven material selection.
Integrals Power to scale LFP and LMFP cathode output
Integrals Power has secured UK DRIVE35 funding and has mapped a pathway from a 20 t/yr pilot to a 100 t/yr demonstration and has prepared engineering readiness for a 1,000 t/yr commercial cathode line amid supply‑chain concerns.
Somerset gigafactory underpins £700m manufacturing push
The UK has confirmed a Somerset gigafactory that has secured £380m of government funding and has underpinned over £700m of combined public and private investment, which has been projected to create about 4,200 jobs and supply‑chain activity.
Volvo CE begins production of A30 and A40 Electric haulers
Volvo Construction Equipment has commenced serial production of A30 Electric and A40 Electric haulers at Braås, Sweden, offering 29‑tonne and 39‑tonne payloads and up to six hours' operation per charge; initial deliveries have been scheduled to the UK and Norway.
Volvo CE starts serial production of electric haulers
Volvo CE has begun serial production of its A30 and A40 Electric articulated haulers at Braås, Sweden, has described them as the first serially produced machines of this size, and has scheduled initial deliveries to the UK and Norway.
Purem to produce 100,000 steel EV battery housings in China
Purem by Eberspächer has begun series production in China at over 100,000 units annually and has co-founded a European consortium to develop a stainless-steel battery housing alternative to aluminium, citing lower cost, weight and manufacturing CO2 intensity.
Great Dane Statesboro plant reaches 25,000th trailer
Great Dane's Statesboro plant has produced its 25,000th trailer since opening in 2012 and has underscored its status as the company's sole facility equipped to build 57‑foot refrigerated units for customers including Nolt Transportation.
RoboTwin enables factory workers to teach robots
RoboTwin has developed a handheld, no-code system that has converted human demonstrations into robot programmes and has sought to simplify automation for SMEs; it has secured EU grant support and has expanded commercial trials across Europe, North America and Mexico.
Kia sets Australian price for PV5 Cargo electric van
Kia has confirmed Australian pricing for the all-electric PV5 Cargo, from $55,990, and has announced arrival in dealerships in late May. The long-range variant has been listed with a 71.2 kWh battery and a 416 km WLTP range.
BYD: progress and constraints in solid-state batteries
BYD has said solid-state batteries have reached a critical breakthrough stage, but commercialisation has been constrained by technical and industrial barriers; the company has targeted small-batch production around 2027 and has been pursuing multiple concurrent battery chemistries.
Rimac to build BMW i7 battery system in Zagreb
Rimac Technology has been contracted to manufacture the high-voltage battery system for BMW's i7 using Gen6 4695 cylindrical cells; production has been established at Rimac's Zagreb campus with dedicated lines and capacity allocated to BMW programmes.
Denza says Z9 GT has received tens of thousands of orders
Denza has reported tens of thousands of Z9 GT orders, has increased production with continuous 24-hour shifts and daily output above 100 units, and has cited four-to-six week delivery lead times amid ongoing capacity constraints.
South 8 secures $9.2m California grant for LiGas scale-up
South 8 Technologies has secured a $9.2m California grant to expand LiGas electrolyte production at its San Diego site, has planned 100 MWh electrolyte and 2 MWh cell annual capacity, and has targeted gigafactory integration readiness by 2028.
European carmakers explore defence manufacturing
European carmakers have explored partnerships with defence firms as they have faced demand declines, Chinese competition and higher borrowing costs; analysts have cautioned that defence contracts have not been proven to offset the sector's structural decline.
Global Battery Materials ships graphite samples, opens lab
Global Battery Materials has shipped initial graphite samples to a US customer and has opened a Quebec processing lab that has demonstrated up to 97% carbon content, advancing North American graphite supply-chain capabilities.
Leapmotor delivers 110,155 EVs in Q1; BYD sales drop
Stellantis-backed Leapmotor has delivered 110,155 new-energy vehicles in Q1, its fourth consecutive quarter above 100,000, while BYD has recorded a 30% year-on-year sales decline despite a 55% rise in exports; other Chinese EV makers have shown mixed results.