Tag Archives: CATL

CATL’s CIIC Platform Puts Automakers on the Fast Track to EVs

CATL, the Chinese powerhouse known as the world’s largest battery manufacturer, is shifting gears—and fast. The company is moving beyond its battery-building dominance into the development of modular, high-tech platforms for electric vehicles (EVs), aiming to become a cornerstone of the global zero-emission mobility shift.

Headquartered in Ningde, CATL has been doubling down on innovation, and its latest endeavor—the CIIC platform (CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis)—is gaining serious traction. The CIIC is more than just an EV chassis. It’s a comprehensive “skateboard-style” platform integrating batteries, powertrains, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) into a ready-made base for carmakers seeking to leapfrog into the EV market.

The platform’s modular architecture separates the upper and lower sections of the vehicle, enabling manufacturers to adapt the top portion to virtually any body style—from compact sedans to full-size SUVs. Meanwhile, the lower part houses an integrated system that includes battery modules, electric drive units, and smart control units, all designed with standardized interfaces for ease of customization and scalability.

This plug-and-play flexibility is proving attractive, especially for automakers struggling to keep pace with EV pioneers. By offering a turnkey solution, CATL enables these companies to bypass years of costly development, slashing both production times and investment needs.

The strategy is already bearing fruit. Numerous Chinese automakers have signed on to use the CIIC platform as a springboard for new EV models. But the real headline came with the recent announcement that Mazda, the Japanese manufacturer known for its traditional combustion-engine focus, will adopt CATL’s platform for its next generation of electric vehicles.

This partnership was smoothed by Mazda’s joint venture with Changan, a Chinese automaker already tightly linked with CATL. With Changan as a bridge, the collaboration underscores the increasing interdependence between global automotive players and Chinese tech innovators.

Beyond conventional EVs, CATL is also eyeing the future of autonomous mobility. The CIIC platform is engineered to support fully self-driving applications such as robotaxis and autonomous ride-sharing fleets. As these technologies evolve, CATL anticipates a surge in demand from startups and tech firms eager to enter the smart mobility arena without the burden of building hardware from scratch.

By branching out from batteries to full vehicle platforms, CATL is positioning itself not just as a supplier, but as a foundational enabler of the electric and autonomous vehicle era. The company’s ambition is clear: to not only power the world’s EVs, but to help build them from the ground up.

As the race toward a zero-emission future accelerates, CATL appears poised to lead not just with watts—but with wheels.

Source: CATL

2024 Avatr 12

Avatr 12 is a new electric car with which the Chinese company Avatr Technology wants to attack the European market and threaten the position held by Mercedes’ EQE sedans and BMW i5. It is an electric premium sedan that was created in cooperation with Changan Automobile, CATL and Huawei, and it is designed to go straight into the mid- and large-size segment.

This interesting coupe-limousine is 5020 mm long, 1999 mm wide and, depending on the air suspension, 1450-1460 mm high, while the wheelbase is 3020 mm. Built on the EP1 platform, the Avatr 12 will be offered with one or two electric motors. The single-engine Avatr 12 is powered by an electric unit mounted on the rear axle that develops 313 hp (230 kW). The two engine version comes with all-wheel drive and a total power of 578 hp (425 kW). The top speed is 200 km/h, and the electric motors are supplied by Huawei. It is equipped with a lithium-ion battery manufactured by CATL, with a capacity of 90.4 kWh for the base model and 116.8 kWh for the models with two motors.

When it comes to design, split LED lights surround the front grille, giving it an aggressive look. An elegant roofline, made entirely of glass, leads to a massive coupe section with narrow horizontal LED lights. Buyers will be able to choose between four different 20-inch and 21-inch wheel designs, and will also be able to spec their cars with cameras instead of exterior mirrors.

Before reaching the European market, the Avatr 12 will have a serious competitor in the domestic Chinese market, and that is the Nio ET7. Whether it will be able to cope with the competition remains to be seen, but if we consider that the previous model, the Avatr 11, did not achieve the expected results (from December 2022, only 1,753 were sold), will the Avatr 12 be another failed attempt!?

Source: Avatr Technology

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