Seres commits Aito to CATL batteries long-term
CATL and Seres want to secure their long-term collaboration on batteries for the Aito automotive brand. To accomodate the according demand, the battery making giant is increasing its production capacity in Chongqing to more than 20 GWh per year. Fast charging, battery services, and expansion into foreign markets are also part of the agreement.
Aito 9 in Paris
Image: Aito
Chinese battery manufacturer CATL has announced that the Aito brand, a collaboration between Seres and Huawei, will continue to use CATL batteries across its entire model range. Both companies also aim to deepen their collaboration in battery production, charging infrastructure, battery services, and the development of international markets.
The companies signed the agreement on 10 October at Seres’ headquarters in Chongqing. Aito’s battery electric and range-extended combustion models have been equipped with CATL batteries and will now continue to do so long term. The brand’s cumulative deliveries have now exceeded 1.2 million vehicles, but the companies did not disclose financial details or the duration of the new agreement.
CATL and Seres to expand battery assembly
A key focus of the cooperation is expanding battery production using the factory-in-factory concept. CATL already operates a battery assembly plant on the premises of the Seres Super Factory in Chongqing, which is now set for expansion. The second phase of construction is planned to have an annual production capacity of 10 to 12 GWh. Once completed, the combined capacity of both phases will exceed 20 GWh per year. This proximity between battery system manufacturing and vehicle assembly is expected to streamline industrial processes and enhance cost competitiveness.
The first phase of the project began operation in mid-2025. At that time, CATL commissioned two production lines for battery packs based on its Cell-to-Pack (CTP 2.0) technology. The Chongqing site was also CATL’s first production base in the city and its first project following the “plant-in-plant” principle. The newly agreed second phase will correspondingly expand production capacities for Aito.
Cooperation also covers charging and battery services
Beyond battery supply, CATL and Seres aim to expand their collaboration in fast charging and battery services. According to CATL, the goal is to offer a service portfolio that covers the entire battery lifecycle, but the companies have not yet provided specific details on the services, locations, or timelines involved, and their public statements on this remain entirely non-specific.
Another component of the agreement is the joint development of foreign markets, with the partners explicitly mentioning Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Whether and how they plan to establish joint charging offerings, battery services, or other activities in these regions remains unclear for now. Last year, Aito announced its intention to export three electric vehicles to the global market, and the launch in the United Arab Emirates has already taken place. It is expected that Aito will also outline its plans for Europe at this week’s Paris Motor Show.
CATL secures long-term supply relationship
For CATL, the agreement means continuing its existing supply relationship with a growing Chinese automotive brand in the long term, while further integrating production into vehicle manufacturing. Seres, for its part, secures the continued supply of CATL batteries for its Aito model range.
The agreement follows another significant partnership for Aito. At the end of September, Seres and Huawei also signed a new five-year cooperation agreement for the brand. The collaboration with Huawei focuses on advancing the Aito business, while CATL continues to play a central role in battery supply.
Aito was founded at the end of 2021 by Huawei and Seres and is now part of the Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), which Huawei has established with various automakers. In addition to Aito, the HIMA ecosystem includes Luxeed (with Chery), Stelato (with BAIC), Maextro (with JAC), and Shangje (with SAIC).