SMM August 17 Automotive Battery Market Review [SMM Evening News]

SMM News on August 17: Dealers in Jiangxi reported that replacement demand in the automotive lead-acid battery market was average, and retailers’ purchases were still mainly driven by rigid demand. As lead prices rose, risk-averse sentiment in the battery wholesale market eased somewhat. The current wholesale price for the mainstream model 6-QW-45Ah was 160-180 yuan per unit. Manufacturers in Zhejiang reported that overall demand in the automotive lead-acid battery market was relatively weak, and dealers were not very active in purchasing. Coupled with rising raw material prices such as lead and tin, battery production costs increased, and sales pressure intensified somewhat. The current factory operating rate remained at 70-80%. Manufacturers in Hebei reported that replacement demand for automotive lead-acid batteries was poor, and finished-product orders showed no obvious improvement for the time being. To avoid a further build-up in inventory, the current factory operating rate was below 70%, and raw material lead was mainly procured via long-term contract.