BUSINESS

Li Auto Taps Sunwoda and CALB to Build In-House Batteries

Published: Sep. 23, 2026 10:11 p.m. GMT+8

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A Li Auto store inside a shopping mall in Shanghai on Sept. 10, 2026. Photo: VCG

Chinese electric-vehicle maker Li Auto Inc. has tapped CALB Group Co. Ltd. and Sunwoda Electronic Co. Ltd. to manufacture its self-developed batteries, as the automaker accelerates a strategic shift away from industry champion Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL).

The Beijing-based automaker plans to rely entirely on proprietary battery designs across its entire product lineup after 2026, president and chief engineer Ma Donghui said on Sept. 21. Rather than investing in capital-intensive battery cell plants, Li Auto is outsourcing production to contract manufacturing partners.

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Li Auto is outsourcing production of self-developed batteries to Sunwoda and CALB, phasing out CATL across its lineup after 2026.
It began using in-house cells in June on the L8, now also L6 and i8; Sunwoda is primary partner.
The shift follows a MEGA recall over CATL batteries, though Li Auto cites cost, data access, and safety; CATL remains resilient.

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