[3.24 Lithium Battery News] Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao Met with BMW Chairman Oliver Zipse

[Chengxin Lithium: Plans to Transfer 50% Equity in Sichuan Shengtun Technology] Chengxin Lithium (002240.SZ) announced that it plans to transfer 50% of its equity in Sichuan Shengtun Technology to its controlling shareholder, Shengtun Group, for 100 million yuan. Meanwhile, the company intends to purchase two office buildings constructed by Shengtun Technology, with the transaction amount expected to be no more than 80 million yuan.

[Shenzhen Prioritizes Promotion of E-bike Battery Swapping Model, Plans to Add 20,000 Charging and Swapping Ports] Shenzhen recently held a conference themed "Battery Swapping City, Intelligent Safety" to build a new high-quality development ecosystem for the e-bike industry. It was learned from the conference that Shenzhen will prioritize the promotion of the battery swapping model, planning to add 20,000 e-bike charging and swapping ports this year to enhance the supply capacity of charging and swapping facilities. At the conference, the establishment of the Shenzhen "Battery Swapping City" Special Committee and the launch ceremony of the battery swapping project were also held. Three group standards, including the "General Technical Specifications for Smart Battery Swapping Electric Bicycles," "Electric Bicycle Shared Battery Swapping Facilities - Part 2: Shared Swapping Batteries," and "Electric Bicycle Shared Battery Swapping Facilities - Part 3: Communication Protocols," were released for the first time, providing technical support for the construction of the "Battery Swapping City."

[Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao Meets with BMW Group Chairman Oliver Zipse] Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with BMW Group Chairman Oliver Zipse, where they discussed BMW's cooperation with China and the EU's anti-subsidy case on Chinese EVs. Wang Wentao pointed out that the current international situation is complex and severe, and unilateralism and protectionism by some countries have brought significant uncertainty to the global economy. History has repeatedly shown that tariff wars and trade wars only result in a lose-lose outcome. China hopes to work with the EU to become a pillar of the multilateral trading system, injecting certainty and stability into the world. The Chinese market is open, and policies are clear. The Chinese government is committed to expanding high-level opening-up and continuously optimizing the business environment, which is a commitment to foreign enterprises, including the BMW Group. Wang Wentao stated that under the current circumstances, properly resolving the EU's anti-subsidy case against Chinese EVs is of great significance and will send a clear positive signal to the world. China's position is consistent and clear, always dedicated to resolving differences through dialogue and creating a stable and predictable economic and trade environment for industrial development and cooperation. He expects the BMW Group to continue playing a positive role, encouraging the EU to show political will and move towards a mutually acceptable solution.

[NIO to Launch 9 New Models This Year, Aiming to Double Sales] During NIO's Q4 2024 earnings call, NIO's management stated that nine new models will be launched this year, with the sales target still set to double. Among them, the NIO ET9 will start deliveries, and the 2025 NIO "5566" models will be launched in Q2, with a new product to be released in H2, significantly contributing to NIO's gross margin. The second model of the Lado brand, the L90, will debut in April, and the third product will be launched in Q4, both in relatively high-price, high-margin segments. The first model of the Firefly brand is planned to be launched in April.

[Shanghai Jiading Announces Latest Car Purchase Subsidy Scheme, Up to 22,000 Yuan in Subsidies Available] Jiading District, in conjunction with the "Shanghai Auto Culture Festival," is conducting a car consumption promotion activity and has released a car purchase subsidy scheme. During the event, individual consumers who purchase passenger vehicles (non-commercial use) priced at 50,000 yuan or more (including tax) from participating car retailers in Jiading District, and whose purchase invoices are dated between 0:00 on March 21, 2025, and 24:00 on May 21, 2025, can apply for and, upon approval, receive up to 22,000 yuan in subsidies, in addition to national or municipal subsidies.

[HiNa Battery: To Release Next-Generation Sodium-Ion Battery Technology and Products, Taking a Significant Step in Commercialization] Recently, multiple regions have actively communicated with HiNa Battery regarding investment attraction, reflecting high recognition of the sodium-ion battery industry and the company's development. However, the company has not yet made any substantive decisions. On March 28, the company will release next-generation sodium-ion battery technology and products in Fuyang, Anhui, taking a new step in the commercial application of sodium-ion batteries.