MIIT-linked commentary dismisses “de-CATLisation” concerns as normal supplier diversification and warns cutthroat price competition poses a far bigger threat
2-MIN READ2-MINSherry Wangin BeijingPublished: 6:08pm, 23 Sep 2026A publication under China’s industry ministry has pushed back against market chatter of “de-CATLisation” as a growing number of the battery giant’s automotive partners diversify their suppliers, with the company’s shares falling recently.
The publication followed several Chinese carmakers, including Xiaomi, Li Auto and Xpeng, expanding partnerships with battery suppliers other than CATL or announcing plans to develop batteries in-house. The moves this month have fuelled talk of a shift away from the industry giant and speculation about its market position.
By Wednesday, CATL’s Shenzhen-listed shares had fallen about 25 per cent from their mid-August level and nearly 35 per cent from a record high reached in early May. The shares were down 1.19 per cent on the day.
