Dongfeng to mass-produce solid-state batteries in H2 2026
Dongfeng has scheduled mass production and vehicle integration of solid-state batteries for H2 2026, has reported an energy density of 350Wh/kg and has reported test results showing enhanced safety, 30% lighter packs and a potential driving range exceeding 1,000 km.
China establishes four-tier smart factory system
China has established a four-tier smart factory system covering about 43,000 plants, has integrated AI into Excellence and Leading assessments, and has reported material efficiency gains and shortened development cycles while targeting automotive, aerospace and heavy industry for further deployment.
Chinese EVs may enter United States via local manufacture
China has expanded its electric-vehicle exports and production capacity worldwide, and exports to North America have risen. US policymakers and automakers have imposed tariffs and regulatory constraints, while industry participants have explored US manufacturing and joint ventures as market-entry routes.
GAC Govy prioritises solid-state batteries for eVTOLs
GAC Govy has advanced eVTOL production and has set certification targets for 2026–27; its CEO has said solid‑state batteries have been essential for range, safety and commercial viability.
Chinese axial flux motor achieves 25.73 kW/kg at 18,000 rpm
Chinese researchers have unveiled an axial flux motor and a dedicated permanent-magnet material that have achieved 25.73 kW/kg at 18,000 rpm, and have claimed improved thermal stability, mechanical strength and suitability for mass production.
Chery to use Nissan's Sunderland Line 1 from 2027
Nissan has signed a non-binding MoU with Chery, which has committed to produce vehicles at Sunderland's Line 1 in the 2027 fiscal year as Nissan has consolidated its models onto Line 2 amid ongoing restructuring.
UAW strike at Dauch plant may disrupt GM truck supply
Almost 1,000 workers at Dauch Corp.'s Three Rivers axle plant have gone on strike, risking disruption to General Motors' pick-up truck supply chains and prompting ongoing negotiations between the United Auto Workers and the supplier.
BYD Yangwang U8L frame passes 12-ton lift test
BYD has disclosed that the Yangwang U8L’s one-piece aluminium frame has been developed with aerospace casting and joining methods, has reduced parts and weld length, has passed a 12-ton lift test and has lowered vehicle weight by 56 kg.
CATL to mass-produce sodium-ion batteries in 2026
CATL has announced plans to mass-produce sodium-ion batteries in 2026, has resolved manufacturing bottlenecks, has secured large supply contracts, has targeted a 600 km single-charge range and has integrated the chemistry across vehicles and storage.
Bill could bar Mercedes-Benz from US market
Congress has advanced bipartisan legislation that could bar automakers with state-linked foreign ownership from manufacturing or selling vehicles in the US, potentially affecting Mercedes-Benz due to Chinese government-linked shareholders.
PySAF develops fractionation to convert bio‑crude to SAF
PySAF has developed a fractionation process that separates fast‑pyrolysis bio‑crude into PyXCrude (for SAF precursors) and PyXSugra, has reached TRL5, and has begun supplying samples while seeking seed funding for UK labs and pilot modules.
EMT to launch Emta K-car in Japan in 2027
EMT has announced the launch of a 3.4m Emta K-car in Japan in 2027, has confirmed Gotion battery supply and Chery technical support, and has projected a four‑model line-up by the end of 2029.
Nexperia to manufacture MOSFETs at Polar's Minnesota fab
Nexperia has announced a partnership with Polar Semiconductor to manufacture next-generation power MOSFETs at Polar's Bloomington, Minnesota foundry and has sought to secure US-based supply capacity for automotive, AI server infrastructure, robotics and industrial applications.
Tesla confirms dry cathode process may reduce cathode costs
Tesla has confirmed it has begun mass production of 4680 cells using a dry cathode process and has said the technique could significantly reduce battery cathode production costs, with a wider rollout expected across 2026–27.
Ammann Prime Training and ABC ValueTec Sales in Argentina
Econovo Agrovial and Ammann have hosted Prime training for 38 technicians and have emphasised the plant’s fuel efficiency, mobility and as1 control; ABC ValueTec batch plants have achieved rapid orders, supported by strengthened local service and parts investment.
BYD patents composite sulphide solid-state electrolyte
BYD has filed a patent for a composite solid electrolyte membrane and has described a polymer-inorganic fibre network that has been designed to improve ionic conductivity and mechanical strength; the filing has not disclosed commercialisation timelines or performance metrics.
China's patent position in solid-state batteries
An industry analysis has found China has led global solid‑state battery patent filings but has warned that the United States, Europe, Japan and South Korea have accelerated policy support and patent deployment, risking erosion of China’s comparative advantage.
Stellantis eyes Mexico, Canada for China-branded cars
Stellantis has said it has identified opportunities to expand partnerships in North America, including producing Chinese-branded vehicles in Mexico and possibly Canada, while pursuing non-China collaborations in the United States.
Material change cuts emissions on Melbourne level crossing
A material substitution has reduced embodied emissions by about 20 tonnes on the Hopkins Road level crossing removal in Melbourne by using SENSE 600 reinforcing steel, which has delivered equivalent strength with up to 16.7% less raw material.
EU approves €288m German aid for semiconductor projects
The European Commission has approved €288m in German state aid for two semiconductor projects, allocating €222m to Zeiss and €66m to Zadient to bolster Europe’s chip supply security and specialist manufacturing capacity.
WBG Pilot Line to Advance Europe's Semiconductor Capacity
The EU has launched a distributed WBG pilot line to accelerate commercialisation of SiC, GaN and emerging UWBG semiconductors, aiming to strengthen Europe’s value chain, reduce costs and support electrification and telecom applications through lab-to-fab industrialisation.
Ganfeng: 500 Wh/kg solid-state cell enters production
Ganfeng has reported its 400 Wh/kg solid-state cell has exceeded 1,100 cycles and its 500 Wh/kg-class 10Ah lithium-metal cell has entered small-batch production as it develops silicon-carbon and lithium-metal routes.
Vermeer breaks ground on Bondurant manufacturing campus
Vermeer has broken ground on a new manufacturing campus in Bondurant, Iowa, and has said the site has been planned to support about 300 employees and expand aftermarket manufacturing, with operations having been scheduled to start mid‑2027.
FLO EV Charging Auburn Hills assets to be auctioned
FLO EV Charging has placed Auburn Hills manufacturing and testing equipment for timed online auction; lots have been scheduled to close at 10:00am ET on 28 May and the sale has been managed by CA Global Partners and BidItUp.
BYD expands Blade Battery 2.0 output; Fang Cheng Bao 400,000+
BYD has accelerated production of Blade Battery 2.0 and dispatched staff to multiple plants to resolve supply bottlenecks, while Fang Cheng Bao has exceeded 400,000 cumulative sales and has begun phased deliveries of new flash‑charge models.
John Deere introduces 844 and 904 X-Tier wheel loaders
John Deere has expanded its production-class wheel loader range with 844 and 904 X‑Tier models featuring an electric variable transmission, modes offering fuel and productivity gains, optional advanced vision and object detection, and extended electric-drive component coverage.
UK circular supply chain yields recycled rare-earth rotor
A UK consortium has completed an end-to-end circular rare earth supply chain for electric vehicle motor magnets; Ford has validated that a rotor built with 100% recycled magnets has passed durability testing with performance comparable to production-grade magnets.
Hexagon Purus: hydrogen storage and maritime fuel systems
Hexagon Purus has drawn on six decades of composite pressure vessel expertise to supply Type 4 hydrogen cylinders, MEGC distribution systems and integrated maritime fuel systems, supporting shore-to-vessel hydrogen production, storage and refuelling projects in Europe.
SunHQ hydrogen refuelling hub ready but lacks trucks
The SunHQ hydrogen refuelling hub near Townsville has been completed but has been unable to secure intended heavy fuel-cell trucks after preferred suppliers have entered bankruptcy, prompting scaled operational roll-out and integration challenges under Australian regulatory requirements.
China battery fair shows manufacturing shift
CIBF 2026 has signalled a shift from EV cell promotion to manufacturing scale-up, with equipment makers and electrolyte suppliers having commercialised production tools, pilot lines and compliance-ready systems while ESS standardisation has advanced.
China holds inaugural Golden Lithium Awards
RealLi Research has awarded Chinese battery firms for solid‑state, sodium‑ion and dry‑electrode developments, with winners including CATL and BYD, and has emphasised localisation across battery supply chains; technical specifications and commercial timelines have not been disclosed.
BYD reports battery constraints amid flash‑charge demand
BYD has reported tight battery supply as demand for second‑generation Blade Battery and flash‑charge models has outpaced production; the company has increased shipments and charging‑station rollout and has signalled plans to expand capacity and overseas output.
Anthro Energy gains DOE go-ahead for Louisville plant
Anthro Energy has received DOE authorisation to begin construction of a Louisville electrolyte plant and has unlocked a $24.9m grant, which combined with $18.4m tax credits has secured about $43m in federal support for a 25GWh, 12,000‑tonne annual facility.
US glassmakers warn of Chinese investment risks
Executives have warned that Fuyao's pricing and investment have undermined US competitors, prompting congressional scrutiny and regulatory investigations into labour and supply‑chain practices.
Stellantis, Dongfeng to produce Peugeot and Jeep NEVs
Stellantis and Dongfeng have signed a strategic agreement to invest over 8 billion yuan to produce Peugeot and Jeep new-energy vehicles in Wuhan from 2027, with Jeep models designated for global export and Peugeot for domestic and overseas sales.
Chinese Parts Integrated into U.S. Autos, Lawmakers Warn
Lawmakers have warned against allowing Chinese automakers market entry as discussions with Beijing have coincided with Chinese ownership of over 60 US-based suppliers, proposed restrictions on connected-vehicle technologies have been introduced, and concerns over jobs and supply-chain resilience have increased.
Toyota to introduce four new EVs in US market
Toyota has announced plans to bring four battery-electric models to the US, has invested in a North Carolina battery plant and has partnered with Subaru to increase volumes, and has maintained a long-term, incremental EV strategy.
Pure Lithium scales to 500 MWh and plans GWh plant
Pure Lithium has reached full production at a 500 MWh all‑solid‑state battery line, has completed Pre‑A+ financing, and has announced plans for a GWh‑scale plant in 2026 and has deployed storage and battery‑swap pilot projects.
Lotus CEO: solid-state batteries a decade from production
Lotus CEO Qingfeng Feng has said that solid-state batteries have remained years away from mass production and that technical and performance trade-offs have not yet been resolved, despite industry claims of imminent commercialisation.
Henkel Battery Application Centre in Michigan
Henkel has opened a Battery Application Centre in Madison Heights that has replicated production dispensing with six‑axis robotics and heated pump systems, has supported co‑engineering on adhesive and de‑bonding solutions, and has used digital twin modelling for scale‑up.
Stellantis expands partnership with Leapmotor
Stellantis has expanded its strategic partnership with Leapmotor, has planned production of a model for Europe in 2028 and has agreed joint development of an Opel electric SUV to be built in Zaragoza, Spain.
Endeavour Awards 2026 supported by industry sponsors
Manufacturers’ Monthly has presented the 2026 Endeavour Awards, which have been supported by industry sponsors and a collaboration with Australian Manufacturing Week, and organisers have reported increased industry engagement and sold-out attendance in Brisbane.
Tesla Semi features 822 kWh pack and 800 km range
Tesla has disclosed production Semi specifications with 822 kWh and 548 kWh packs, has reported up to 800 kilometres range with a 37-tonne load and has cited 1.2 MW peak charging capacity from its Nevada Gigafactory.
Versa and AUMUND to develop cathode calcination equipment
Versa and AUMUND have signed an exclusive MOU to adapt conveying and thermal equipment for cathode calcination; the collaboration has targeted 50% lower capital expenditure, 20% lower operating costs and no process wastewater, and AUMUND has entered battery materials.
Mercedes-Benz unveils reECONIC with recycled materials
Mercedes‑Benz has presented the reECONIC, an electric waste‑collection concept that has demonstrated approximately 80% recycled, natural or bio‑based material use across its body and components, excluding the powertrain, and has scheduled real‑world testing for H2 2026.
WA invests in prefabrication to increase housing capacity
The WA Government has committed $48 million to prefabrication facilities to expand local housing production and has provided incentives and utility support to two manufacturers to accelerate delivery of medium- and high-density projects.
Built and Wesfarmers form modular housing joint venture
Built and Wesfarmers have launched Built Living, an offsite manufacturing joint venture in Western Australia that has been established to scale modular apartment production, has aimed to reduce construction costs and has set initial output for 2028.