SHANGHAI, July (SMM) - According to SMM, the operating rates across lead-acid battery producers in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hebei provinces remained unchanged during last week(July 9-July 15) at 66.67%. According to the survey, with the steady improvement of consumption in the electric bicycle and automobile markets, the lead-acid battery orders increased. However, the consumption recovery in the replacement market was relatively slow, and there were regional differences. Traders mostly digested their inventory. As for lead-acid battery enterprises, with the improvement of orders, some medium and large-sized enterprises increased the production at the beginning of the month. The current operating rates stabilised near 80%. In addition, some companies intend to further increase the operating rates to nearly 100% amid the traditional peak season in August.