Mercedes-Benz and CATL as a major supplier team up for leadership in future battery technology

• Mercedes-Benz and CATL have today announced an enhanced partnership in the field of battery technology.
• The electric luxury sedan Mercedes-Benz EQS will launch next year with a WLTP range of over 700 km, equipped with CATL cell modules.
• Mercedes-Benz and CATL will jointly boost the industrialization of lithium-ion batteries in Germany.

NINGDE, China, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL)<300750.SZ> have entered the next stage of their strategic partnership and will create cutting-edge battery technology in support of the high-volume electrification of the Mercedes-Benz model portfolio. The Stuttgart-based luxury car maker is accelerating its "Electric First" strategy with advanced, CO2-neutrally produced battery cells, modules and systems supplied by CATL, a technology leader in lithium-ion batteries. The agreement covers the full range of battery technologies, from cells across modules for Mercedes-Benz Cars to entire battery systems for Mercedes-Benz Vans in promising innovative technology configurations. This also includes the CATL cell-to-pack (CTP) design, which eliminates conventional modules and integrates the cells directly into the battery.

"We intend to lead in battery technologies, so we are now combining our own research and development expertise with bold partners. We will integrate cutting-edge battery systems to create luxury cars with outstanding range, charging speed, safety and sustainability. Working with CATL will see us accelerate our transformation towards carbon-neutrality," said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Daimler Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars COO. "CATL will be a major supplier securing capacity for the next generations of our EQ products in the years to come. "

"Mercedes-Benz is a special and important partner to CATL. We are very pleased to further expand and upgrade the partnership for both parties' future development. Mercedes invented the car more than 130 years ago and has developed its technology with countless innovations. This combined with CATL's expertise in battery, will be a decisive step to both parties' electrification strategies," said Dr. Robin Zeng, Founder, Chairman and CEO of CATL. "Together we collaborate on developing and delivering reliable, competitive solutions to promote worldwide e-mobility."