EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A long-term strategic agreement between CATL and SERES Group will accelerate Phase 2 of their Chongqing battery manufacturing project, adding 10–12 GWh of planned annual capacity. Combined capacity will exceed 20 GWh, alongside expanded cooperation in supercharging, battery services and international markets.
Click here for a quick project snapshot
A Chinese battery technology company, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) and SERES Group signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement in Chongqing, China, on October 10, 2026. The agreement marks a new stage in their existing partnership, with plans to expand battery production capacity, develop supercharging and battery services, and explore international markets.
The two companies have maintained a partnership through the AITO vehicle brand. Since AITO's launch, all its models have been equipped with CATL batteries, with cumulative vehicle deliveries exceeding 1.2 million units. Under the new agreement, AITO will continue using CATL batteries across its entire model lineup over the long term, maintaining the battery supply relationship between the companies.
A major component of the agreement involves accelerating Phase 2 of the “Plant in Plant” project at the SERES Super Factory. The second phase is planned to achieve an annual battery production capacity of 10 to 12 GWh. Once completed, the combined annual capacity of the two phases will exceed 20 GWh. The expansion will strengthen the companies' manufacturing collaboration and increase production capacity within the existing industrial arrangement.
The “Plant in Plant” project follows a clustered production model designed to improve industrial efficiency and strengthen cost competitiveness. According to CATL, the companies also intend to support Chongqing's development of a trillion-yuan high-end intelligent connected new energy vehicle industrial cluster. The planned expansion forms part of their broader cooperation in battery manufacturing and industrial-chain development.
Beyond production capacity, CATL and SERES will deepen cooperation in supercharging networks and battery services. Their collaboration will focus on establishing a full-lifecycle service system intended to improve the experience of electric vehicle users. These activities represent another area of cooperation alongside battery supply and manufacturing.
The agreement also covers international market development. CATL and SERES plan to jointly explore overseas opportunities, including Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. Their stated objective is to provide products and services to customers in these markets while supporting the transition towards intelligent electric mobility.
Looking ahead, CATL said it will maintain its long-term approach to the new energy vehicle industry through technological innovation and efficient industrial-chain collaboration. The agreement brings together battery production expansion, vehicle battery supply, charging infrastructure and overseas market development under a broader strategic partnership between the two companies.