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.
Mercedes sets 2030 US sales target amid market headwinds
Mercedes has said 2026 has proved tougher than expected and has committed US$4bn to its Alabama plant to raise capacity, and has maintained a 2030 US retail target of 400,000 vehicles amid higher rates, fuel costs and tariffs.
ENNOVI patents adhesive-free battery lamination
ENNOVI has secured a German patent for an adhesive‑free laser lamination for battery cell contacting systems, which has been validated and has offered OEMs a pre‑qualified alternative that has reduced engineering risk and has supported multiple cell formats.
Inlyte, Ervin to localise iron battery supply chain
Inlyte Energy has agreed with Ervin Industries to develop domestically sourced iron powder for iron‑sodium batteries and has sought to expand US materials supply while reducing reliance on overseas battery processing.
Chery and Jaguar Land Rover launch Freelander NEV brand
Chery and Jaguar Land Rover have launched Freelander, an independent NEV brand headquartered in Shanghai, and have unveiled the Concept97 concept; the brand has secured NEV production qualification for end-2025 and has scheduled production to start in late 2026.
Ateios and Kodak extend RaiCore electrodes to LFP, NMC, LCO
Ateios and Kodak have expanded the RaiCore electrode platform to LFP, NMC and LCO, have obtained third-party PFAS-free verification and have introduced a fourth-generation formulation compatible with existing battery production lines.
MAXIMA develops low-impact axial flux motor
The MAXIMA project has applied life cycle assessment, materials innovation and modular design to develop a lower-impact axial flux motor, reducing dependence on rare earths and improving recyclability across vehicle lifecycles.
BREYER supplies calendering lines to Porsche-VARTA venture
BREYER has supplied calendering lines to the Porsche‑VARTA venture and has integrated them into digitised production at Ellwangen and Nördlingen; a plant‑wide track‑and‑trace system has been implemented to record cell-level manufacturing data.
RSM Australia becomes platinum sponsor of Endeavour Awards
RSM Australia has joined the Endeavour Awards as a platinum sponsor and has promoted its advisory services to manufacturing firms, highlighting connections between supplier innovation, council infrastructure procurement and regional economic development.
Governance Required for Industrial Edge AI
Organisations have accelerated Edge AI adoption and have exposed gaps in governance, efficiency and IT/OT accountability; analysts have said unified monitoring and clarified responsibilities have been required to align people, processes and technology for secure, distributed industrial operations.
SciMo automates flat-wire windings for niche motors
SciMo has automated production of flat-wire stator windings, has raised copper slot fill above 70% and has targeted high-performance, low-volume markets including motorsport and electric aviation.
Level 2 battery manufacturing apprenticeship unit launched
Skills England has developed a Level 2 battery manufacturing apprenticeship unit following rapid consultation with employers, Agratas and sector experts, and it has been designed to address skills gaps and support job creation linked to a Somerset gigafactory.
Octillion India reaches 100,000 EV battery systems
Octillion Power Systems India has reached production of 100,000 EV battery systems, with manufacturing across three facilities in Pune and Gujarat, and has reported expansion to over 300,000 square feet and a target annual capacity of 8 GWh by 2026.
Toyota to invest $1bn in Kentucky and Indiana plants
Toyota has announced a $1bn investment in Kentucky and Indiana plants, with $800m for Georgetown (Camry, RAV4) and $200m for Princeton (Grand Highlander), as part of a planned up-to-$10bn US investment programme.
Candela raises €30m to fund second factory
Candela has secured €30 million to finance a second manufacturing facility, backed by existing investors and the IFC, and has begun serial production with over 65 vessels on order, bringing total capital raised to €129 million.
BYD Considers Canadian Manufacturing and Acquisitions
BYD has indicated it has considered building a wholly owned Canadian manufacturing plant and has said it has been open to acquiring struggling legacy manufacturers as part of its international expansion strategy.
Siemens reports private 5G growth in industrial automation
Siemens has reported growing, use-case-driven uptake of private 5G, has positioned the technology as an enabler embedded in automation solutions, and has sold systems via existing industrial channels to address mission-critical connectivity and productivity needs.
ROHM and Suchi Semicon to localise semiconductor packaging
ROHM has formed a partnership with Suchi Semicon to establish local back-end manufacturing for power semiconductor packaging and testing in India, has initiated technical evaluations and has targeted mass production from 2026 to strengthen automotive supply-chain resilience.
AI Integrates into Manufacturing Operations and Strategy
Manufacturers have increasingly integrated AI into operations, prioritising pilots, data standardisation and network infrastructure, and leaders have emphasised cross-disciplinary talent and sector-specific models to scale applications, with automotive companies having led early adoption.
Thermal adhesives for EV battery cell-to-pack bonding
Manufacturers have advanced thermally conductive adhesives to improve bonding and thermal management in EV battery cell-to-pack and cell-to-plate architectures, enabling higher bond strength, tailored reworkability, and reduced thermal resistance through thinner bondlines.
Exicom opens ₹216 crore EV power electronics plant
Exicom Tele-Systems has opened a ₹216 crore integrated manufacturing facility in Hyderabad and has increased production capacity by about 2.5 times to produce AC and DC chargers, battery systems and critical power solutions for domestic and export markets.
UKBIC opens Flexible Pilot Line for battery scale-up
UKBIC has opened a Flexible Pilot Line in Coventry to help battery startups scale technologies from lab to commercial scale. The line has been backed by £38m from the Faraday Battery Challenge and has been described as unique in Europe.
Soneil Spark mobile charging trailer for EV fleets
Soneil Spark has introduced a trailer-mounted mobile charger with configurable battery capacity and AC/DC ports, and has marketed it to fleets, off-grid sites, events and disaster response, and has highlighted microgrid and rapid-deployment capabilities.
ION Storage Systems qualifies solid-state battery cell
ION Storage Systems has qualified its Cornerstone solid-state cell with a customer and has scheduled production at its expanded Beltsville, Maryland facility to begin in 2026, after having supplied sample cells to customers since August.
