Chinese Spodumene Buyers Push For Lower Price, Overseas Mines Would Rather Sit On Stockpiles Than Sell At Big Discounts

CATL announced its first A-share repurchase of about 604,300 shares, or 0.0131% of total share capital, at prices between RMB 330.15 and 331.61 per share, totaling roughly RMB 200 million. The move officially launches its previously announced RMB 20-40 billion cancellation-style buyback plan, whose cap sets a new record for a single cancellation-style buyback in the A-share market.

Xuetian Salt plans to acquire 100% of Hebei Kuntian New Energy from 54 counterparties via share issuance and cash payment, with supporting fund raising. The deal is expected to constitute a major asset restructuring. Hebei Kuntian focuses on R&D, production and sales of lithium battery anode materials. Upon completion, Xuetian Salt will extend from its existing salt chemicals and battery cathode materials businesses into anode materials, forming a dual-drive structure of traditional core business plus new energy materials.

Lexus Korea has begun pre-orders for the 8th-generation All-New ES, marking the first time the ES lineup will include a battery electric vehicle (BEV) model. The new ES will be launched in South Korea on October 13, with both hybrid and BEV versions offered. The BEV lineup will include the front-wheel-drive ES 350e and all-wheel-drive ES 500e. The ES 350e has a certified combined driving range of 478 km on a single charge under South Korean standards, while the ES 500e features Lexus’ DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system.