IM Motors’ LS8 NEO Shows Why “Moving Away from CATL” Is Overstated

What happened

A Qbit visit to CATL’s Ningde headquarters and factory found that battery development involves more than producing cells: CATL makes cells and battery packs, while IM Motors works with it to tailor batteries and integrate and validate them with the vehicle. The upcoming LS8 NEO electric SUV will offer 93 kWh LFP and 103 kWh NMC options, both using CATL batteries. The article argues automakers need product definition and vehicle integration capabilities, but can choose whether to make cells themselves, co-develop them or buy them.

The story so far

IM Motors’ upcoming LS8 NEO electric SUV will offer two CATL battery options—a 93 kWh LFP battery and a 103 kWh NMC battery—with CATL manufacturing the cells and packs and IM working with it to tailor the batteries and integrate and validate them with the vehicle. After visiting CATL’s Ningde headquarters and factory, QbitAI argued that talk of automakers “moving away from CATL” overstates the shift. Its account distinguishes cell manufacturing from vehicle development: automakers need to define product requirements and handle vehicle integration, but can choose whether to manufacture cells themselves, co-develop them or purchase them.

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