Central China Secondary Lead Smelter Halts Production Temporarily Due to Env. Controls, Output Down 300 mt WoW

[Developments in the Outside-China Lead Market] According to Notice No. 26,094-96 issued by the LME, the suspension of trading in the UMICORE 99.99, 99.985, and 99.97 lead brands produced by Umicore has been lifted, and these brands will continue to be used for warrant transactions on the London Metal Exchange (LME). It was reported that, according to Notice No. 26 005-007 issued by the LME on January 2, 2026, effective April 2, 2026, the three lead ingot brands produced by Umicore will no longer be accepted for warranting by the London Metal Exchange (LME).

[Automotive Market Updates] It was reported that on the highly automated production line jointly developed by Changan Automobile and its partner, the CAOA Group, the first batch of locally manufactured Changan vehicles in Brazil slowly rolled off the line. Recently, Changan Automobile's Brazil plant, located in Anápolis, Goiás, officially commenced production, marking a new milestone in China-Brazil industrial cooperation. In addition, Changan Automobile's products have entered 118 countries and regions worldwide, and the company has 76 factories outside China.

[E-bike Market Update] It was reported that, in addition to Yadea, leading electric two-wheeler brands in China such as Ninebot, TAILG, and AIMA plan to raise the end-user selling prices of most of their car models starting April 1, with increases generally at 200-300 yuan per unit. According to e-bike dealers, they have already received notices from manufacturers that prices for some car models, including two-wheelers and three-wheelers, will be raised starting in April, with increases ranging from 30-300 yuan per unit.