- BMW and CATL will launch pilot projects for trusted data exchange and carbon footprint accounting under the Battery Passport framework.
- The initiative marks the evolution of their strategic partnership, established in 2012, from pure battery procurement to broader institutional coordination.
Amid German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's high-profile visit to China, BMW Group and CATL (HKG: 3750, SHE: 300750), the world's largest electric vehicle battery maker, signed a key agreement to deepen collaboration in battery supply chain decarbonization and cross-border data transmission.
Under the memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday, the two companies will leverage the standardized automotive data ecosystem Catena-X to conduct pilot projects for trusted data exchange and carbon footprint accounting within the Battery Passport framework.
The initiative marks the evolution of their strategic partnership, established in 2012, from pure battery procurement to broader institutional coordination.
BMW Group chairman Oliver Zipse, accompanying Merz as part of a high-level German business delegation, reaffirmed China's central role in BMW's global strategy during the signing ceremony, emphasizing the critical importance of cooperation and open innovation.
To further cater to local demands in the world's largest automotive market, BMW announced that its first domestically produced "New Generation" model — the all-new BMW iX3 Long Wheelbase, jointly developed by Chinese and German teams — will make its global debut at the Beijing Auto Show this April.
BMW's decision to deepen its partnership with CATL comes as the Chinese battery giant further solidifies its dominant position in the global market.
According to the latest data released earlier this month by South Korean market research firm SNE Research, the total global EV battery capacity installed in 2025 surged 31.7% year-on-year to reach 1,187 GWh.
CATL commands a substantial 39.2% market share with 464.7 GWh of installed capacity, not only maintaining its position as the global leader but also standing as the only supplier exceeding 30% market share. This significantly outpaces second-ranked BYD's 16.4% and third-ranked South Korea's LG Energy Solution at 9.2%.
| Company | Market Share (%) | Installations (GWh) |
|---|---|---|
| CATL | 39.2% | 464.7 |
| BYD | 16.4% | 194.8 |
| LG Energy Solution | 9.2% | 108.8 |
| CALB | 5.3% | 62.8 |
| Gotion High-tech | 4.5% | 53.5 |
| SK On | 3.7% | 44.5 |
| Panasonic | 3.7% | 44.2 |
| Eve Energy | 2.6% | 31.3 |
| Samsung SDI | 2.4% | 28.9 |
| Svolt | 2.4% | 28.5 |
| Others | 10.5% | 124.9 |
