【4.28 Lithium Battery News】Sichuan Yajiang has Proven Lithium Ore Resources of 220 Million mt | Wuhan Plant of RIZAPO Will Suspend Production

[Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao: Hope German Automobile Industry Association Continues to Play an Active Role in Resolving the EU's Anti-Subsidy Case on Chinese EVs] Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with Hildegard Müller, President of the German Automobile Industry Association (VDA), and the two sides exchanged views on topics such as Sino-German automotive industry cooperation and the EU's anti-subsidy case on Chinese EVs. Wang Wentao stated that Sino-German automotive industry cooperation has a solid foundation, and German automakers are witnesses, participants, and beneficiaries of China's reform and opening up. China's door to opening up will only open wider, and its policies on utilizing foreign investment remain unchanged and will not change. He hoped that German automakers would seize the opportunity and strengthen their confidence in investing in China. 》Click to view details

[Li Lecheng, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of MIIT, Meets with Hildegard Müller, President of the German Automobile Industry Association] Li Lecheng, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), met with Hildegard Müller, President of the German Automobile Industry Association (VDA), in Beijing on April 27. The two sides exchanged views on deepening Sino-German automotive industry cooperation. Li Lecheng stated that China and Germany are comprehensive strategic partners, and the German Automobile Industry Association has assisted German companies in deepening their presence in the Chinese market, carrying out diverse forms of cooperation in areas such as new energy vehicles (NEVs) and intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs). He hoped that both sides would continue to leverage their respective strengths, tap into cooperation potential, and jointly promote the transformation, upgrading, and high-quality development of the automotive industry. The Chinese side will create a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized for the development of foreign-funded enterprises in China. Hildegard Müller stated that the German Automobile Industry Association has always advocated for free trade, called for fair competition, and valued international cooperation. She looked forward to working hand in hand with Chinese partners to promote the coordinated development and technological innovation of the automotive industries in both countries and continuously achieve new results in Sino-German automotive industry cooperation.

[220 Million Tons of Lithium Ore Resources Proven in Yajiang, Sichuan] Yajiang County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province, has proven lithium ore resources totaling 220 million tons. Zhong Se, County Magistrate of the Yajiang County People's Government, stated at a meeting that Yajiang is rich in lithium ore resources and is a core component of the Jiajika rare metal ore field, with proven pegmatite-type lithium ore reserves ranking first globally. Currently, Yajiang has proven 220 million tons of raw ore resources of spodumene and 3.06 million tons of lithium oxide resources. In terms of lithium ore resource development, Zhong Se revealed that Yajiang has "joined hands" with three industry giants: CATL, Tianqi Lithium, and Shengtun. "CATL's Sinoway and Shengtun's Murong lithium mine projects have obtained mining rights, and Tianqi's Cuola lithium mine has fully resumed production."

[Nissan's Wuhan Plant Reportedly to Halt Production This Business Year] Citing sources, it is reported that Nissan Motor will end automobile production at its Wuhan plant by the end of the current business year, which concludes at the end of March 2026. The report indicates that amid fierce competition from Chinese automakers, the operating rate of Nissan's Wuhan plant has fallen below 10% of its annual production capacity of 300,000 units. The plant, which Nissan has been leasing from Dongfeng Motor since 2022, is used to produce Nissan's Ariya electric vehicle and X-Trail sport utility vehicle.

[Canadian Retail Sales Decline in February, Expected to Rebound Mildly Next Month] Statistics Canada stated that due to a decline in sales at automobile and parts dealers, Canadian retail sales in February fell by 0.4% MoM from January, totaling CAD 69.33 billion (USD 49.95 billion). In February, sales declined in four out of nine sub-sectors, accounting for 43.1% of total retail sales. In terms of volume, retail sales fell by 0.4%. In its preliminary estimate, the agency said that retail sales in March may increase by 0.7%, while factory sales in March are likely to decline by 1.9% MoM, mainly due to sales declines in sub-sectors such as petroleum and coal products, primary metals, and transportation equipment.

[China National Heavy Duty Truck Group and Toyota Motor Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement] China National Heavy Duty Truck Group and Toyota Motor signed a strategic cooperation agreement at Toyota's headquarters in Nagoya, Japan, on the 25th. The hydrogen fuel cell tractors jointly developed by the two sides have been delivered to the market in batches for application. In the future, the two sides will establish broader cooperation in areas such as the R&D, demonstration operation, promotion, and business model innovation of hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles.