Factory-Integrated Manufacturing Setup Debut by CATL, Producing Electric Vehicle Batteries for Aito Automobiles
In a significant development, Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) has officially launched its first factory-in-factory (FiF) setup to supply EV batteries for Aito Cars, a premium electric vehicle (EV) brand developed by Chongqing-based Seres in partnership with telecom giant Huawei Technologies.
The new facility, located within Seres Group's super factory in Chongqing, China, houses two advanced Cell-to-Pack 2.0 high-end battery pack production lines. This marks CATL’s first production base in Chongqing and its first implementation of the FiF model.
The FiF model integrates CATL's battery production line directly inside Seres' vehicle manufacturing plant but is operated entirely by CATL. This arrangement allows for highly flexible and rapid production line adjustments, reportedly under 20 minutes, and enables a same-day supply turnaround of thousands of components to Seres, significantly accelerating the manufacturing process.
The batteries produced at this facility are exclusively used in Aito electric vehicles. Under their strategic cooperation agreement, CATL’s Qilin batteries will be fully integrated into new Aito models for the next five years.
The FiF setup has enhanced both manufacturing and delivery processes for Aito models. It has shortened waiting times for customers due to faster and more efficient battery pack production and supply inside the vehicle manufacturing environment. Moreover, the highly intelligent and digitalized battery production line, noted by CATL’s CEO Robin Zeng as their most advanced to date, has improved quality and production efficiency.
This co-located production model has improved synchronization between battery supply and vehicle assembly, positively influencing the manufacturing speed and potentially the delivery timelines of Aito electric vehicles.
CATL, the world's largest EV battery supplier since 2017, continues to expand its lead in the EV battery market. In the first quarter of 2022, CATL's EV battery shipments increased by 40 percent from the previous year, reaching 84.9 gigawatt-hours. The company had a 38.3 percent market share in the first quarter of 2022, according to SNE data.
Since its launch, Aito has exclusively used CATL batteries across its entire product lineup. CATL's latest data shows that cumulative sales of Aito vehicles have surpassed 700,000 units.
The partnership between CATL and Seres Group extends beyond battery supply. They have jointly established a 50-megawatt-hour distributed photovoltaic project for Seres' super factory. Further developments in this partnership are anticipated.
[1] CATL Press Release, June 30, 2025 [2] Seres Group Press Release, June 30, 2025 [4] Aito Cars Press Release, June 30, 2025
- This collaboration between CATL, Seres, and Huawei Technologies has led to the integration of CATL's advanced technology in the production of business solutions, with the FiF model providing a flexible and efficient manufacturing process for Aito's electric vehicles.
- The technology employed in CATL's batteries and production lines has significantly improved the quality and efficiency of Aito's electric vehicle manufacturing processes, resulting in a decrease in waiting times for customers and potential improvements in delivery timelines, thereby enhancing the finance and profitability of both CATL and Aito within the evolving technology landscape.
