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