SMM May 13 Automotive Battery Market Summary [SMM Evening News]

SMM May 13 News: Dealers in Hunan reported that end-use consumption in the automotive storage battery market was sluggish, with slow battery inventory digestion. Additionally, selling prices in the battery wholesale market remained unchanged for now, with the main model 6-QW-45Ah wholesaling at 160-180 yuan/unit. Manufacturers in Hebei reported that the off-season trend in the automotive storage battery market persisted, with dealers purchasing cautiously and supporting orders also being limited. Currently, factory operating rates were maintained at around 80%, and raw material lead procurement through long-term contracts was sufficient to meet production needs. Manufacturers in Zhejiang reported that the automotive storage battery market was in the off-season, compounded by export disruptions, resulting in poor finished product orders. Factory operating rates were currently around 70%, with raw material lead purchased only through just-in-time procurement. In addition, prices of auxiliary materials such as sulphuric acid rose, pushing up battery production costs.