On February 28, the Ningde Municipal Government and CATL signed a strategic cooperation agreement for a "Zero-Carbon · Technology" bay city initiative. The agreement focuses on "zero-carbon" and "technology," outlining 33 specific items ranging from global headquarters to zero-carbon ecosystems. At its core is the creation of a new structure: "global headquarters + 'mother factory' + multiple production bases." According to earlier reports, this round of cooperation involves a total investment exceeding 60 billion yuan, with planned production capacity of 200 GWh. Upon full operation, it is expected to generate annual output value exceeding 100 billion yuan and drive the implementation of several new industrial chain projects.

The signing marks a fundamental strategic upgrade for CATL in its place of origin and core base. The Ningde base has long been the production heart of CATL, with projects in Zhangwan, Cheliwan, and Fuding collectively planning a total capacity of 231 GWh. Among these, the Fuding base, with a planned capacity of 120 GWh, is the company's largest single project globally. The "mother factory" within the new structure is crucial. It serves not only as a production center but also as the core for incubating new technologies, validating advanced processes, and exporting manufacturing models. This signifies that the Ningde base will evolve from the largest manufacturing center into a source and exporter of technology, management, and zero-carbon standards. The investment of over 60 billion yuan aims to solidify Ningde's position as CATL's unshakable global operational hub.

Entering 2026, CATL's capacity expansion has ignited engines in multiple locations worldwide. Domestically, activity has been intensive: In January, equipment arrived for the third phase of the Luoyang base in Henan, and a joint venture with Changan for a 25 GWh project in Chongqing was signed. In February, the Quanzhou new energy battery base and the Yancheng "Zero-Carbon + Lighthouse" dual-standard factory project were successively established. Overseas expansion is progressing simultaneously: The battery cell production line at the Indonesia project is entering the debugging phase, and the Hungary factory is set to begin mass production in March or April, with its initial 40 GWh capacity reportedly fully booked. This multi-point expansion strategy highlights the accelerated implementation of its global approach to being close to markets and strengthening supply chain resilience.

CATL's collaborative boundaries are rapidly expanding beyond battery manufacturing to build a broader industrial alliance. Since February, a series of partnerships have deepened this trend: An agreement with China Gas locks in the advancement of energy storage projects for 2026-2028; its subsidiary, CATL Intelligent, is collaborating with Horizon Robotics to tackle intelligent skateboard chassis and high-level autonomous driving; and a joint venture with Chery has been formally established with deep equity ties. These collaborations indicate that CATL is transitioning from a battery supplier to an ecosystem builder, deeply involved in energy storage, smart vehicles, and even energy services through capital and technological linkages. The investment of over 60 billion yuan in Ningde is a key strategic move by CATL to compete in the next phase of the industry. As advantages in production scale are established, the core of competition has shifted to the speed of technological iteration, the efficiency of industrial chain synergy, and the comprehensive contest of zero-carbon manufacturing standards. This massive investment in its "home base" aims to consolidate the manufacturing foundation while building a more robust technological and managerial moat for the future.