[3.18 Lithium Express] Industry insiders estimate that there is still 50% room for lithium carbonate growth * Volvo will suspend or adjust production at Sino-US auto plants in March due to chip supply shortages.

[lithium carbonate prices soar, industry insiders estimate that there is still room for an increase of 50%.] A visit to a number of first-tier lithium companies found that lithium prices are now almost double compared with the third quarter of last year. The latest report also shows that as of March 12, the average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate in the domestic market was 83500 yuan per ton, up 6000 yuan per ton in a week, and the spot price has doubled in four months, almost once every other day. Some people in the industry estimate that compared with the current price, the price of lithium has also increased by 50%. In fact, this is the rise in lithium prices again after 2016.

[Guotai Junan: the shortage of automotive chips caused by the imbalance between supply and demand is expected to gradually return to normal in the third quarter of 2021] on March 18, Guotai Junan pointed out that the recovery of the global automotive industry is better than expected. at the same time, short-term pressure on chip supply has brought about a shortage of automotive chips, which will have an impact on global automobile production and sales in the first half of 2021, especially in the second quarter. However, under the price increases and giant games, the supply side will gradually improve, the short-term problems of automotive chips are expected to be gradually eliminated in the third quarter, and the global automotive industry will continue to recover in H2. Car manufacturers and suppliers with the ability to supply automotive chips will benefit in the short term, recommend the target BYD and benefit from the target Starr semiconductors.

[top Ten self-driving car startups with High growth potential] startups with high growth potential in the autonomous car industry will become world-renowned leaders in the field of autonomous cars. Startups are selected based on an assessment of their market size, good performance in several parameters, well-known investors and future growth prospects.

[pure electric bus out of control accidents occurred in many places, Guangdong Transportation Department: provincial investigation] Guangdong Transportation Department issued a "warning notice on further strengthening bus operation safety" on the same day, according to the "warning notice on further strengthening bus operation safety" since 2021, there have been a number of casualties or hidden dangers caused by pure electric buses out of control in many places across the country, and there have also been a number of accidents related to the safety of urban bus operation in Guangdong Province.

[Volvo: production at Sino-US car plants will be suspended or adjusted in March due to chip supply shortages] according to media reports on March 18, Volvo cars said on Wednesday that due to a global shortage of semiconductor chips, the company will suspend or adjust production in China and the United States in March. "We expect the situation to become severe in the second quarter, so we have decided to take measures to minimise the impact on production while improving the situation through day-to-day work," Volvo said in an emailed statement. "Volvo will temporarily suspend or adjust production at some car plants (in the United States and China) in March," the statement said.

[SAIC Infineon: 2 million new energy vehicles are expected to be sold this year] people related to SAIC Infineon said at the SEMICON CHINA forum that sales of new energy vehicles exceeded 1.3 million in 2020, a record high, and according to the Forecast of the Automobile Association, sales will grow by about 40% in 2021, that is, 2 million new energy vehicles are expected to be sold this year.