CATL Accelerates Global Expansion: Hungary and Indonesia Plants to Start Production This Year; U.S. Battery Plant with Ford Already Operational

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) is accelerating its overseas capacity expansion, with its battery plants in Hungary and Indonesia expected to commence production within this year. Additionally, the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in Michigan, USA—jointly developed by CATL and Ford Motor Company—was completed and began operations in June 2024. The facility is wholly owned by Ford, represents a $3.5 billion investment, and has an initial annual capacity of 35 gigawatt-hours (GWh), sufficient to meet the battery demand for approximately 400,000 electric vehicles. CATL provides Ford with LFP battery technology licensing as well as services for plant construction and operations. The two companies established this collaboration model in February 2023, marking a strategic shift in CATL’s global expansion from product exports toward integrated investment and trade.