Latest news with #Gotion
Morocco World
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Morocco World
Gotion Gigafactory Construction Launches Within Days in Kenitra
Doha – Construction of Africa's inaugural gigafactory will commence within days in Kenitra. Gotion Power Morocco has finalized preparatory groundwork for the colossal battery manufacturing facility. The Sino-European electric vehicle battery behemoth signed an investment accord with Rabat in June 2023. The comprehensive agreement encompasses a staggering $6.5 billion commitment across five developmental phases. Khalid Qalam, Gotion's Moroccan director, announced the imminent construction launch during Wednesday's industrial conference in Rabat. Terrassement operations have reached completion, and production inauguration is slated for the third quarter of 2026. The initial phase demands $1.3 billion in capital expenditure. Manufacturing capacity will reach 20 gigawatts. Government negotiations have secured approval for capacity expansion to 40 GW in the second phase, culminating in 100 GWh total capacity across all five phases. The facility will achieve remarkable vertical integration from inception. Nearly 70% of battery production costs will originate domestically. This unprecedented localization strategy positions Morocco competitively against global rivals. Manufacturing will encompass batteries, cathodes, and anodes. European markets constitute the primary export destination. The company has already secured numerous orders from European automotive manufacturers. Phase one will generate 2,300 employment opportunities. The complete five-phase project will create 10,000 positions across the industrial complex. Morocco's automotive sector achieved record-breaking performance in 2024. Export revenues reached MAD 157 billion ($15.7 billion), representing a 6.3% annual surge. The country surpassed China, Japan, and India to become the European Union's leading automotive exporter in 2023. Gotion anticipates serving dual market segments. Automotive applications will primarily target European manufacturers alongside Moroccan production zones. Renault and Stellantis maintain an established manufacturing presence within the country. Energy storage represents the second pivotal market. Morocco, Africa, and Middle Eastern regions benefit from approximately 300 annual sunshine days. This climatic advantage creates exceptional growth potential for renewable energy storage solutions. Last year, two-thirds of Gotion's revenue originated from energy storage applications. Mobility accounted for the remaining third. Residential energy storage markets are projected to explode over the forthcoming decade. The project represents one component of extensive Chinese investment proliferation across Morocco. Chinese automotive investments have reached approximately $10 billion in recent years through Belt and Road Initiative financing. Beijing now views Morocco as a critical gateway to European markets, allowing Chinese firms to bypass tariff barriers. The country's advanced transport infrastructure — including the Tangier-Med port — along with abundant phosphate reserves vital for battery production, enhance its industrial attractiveness. Morocco's swift transition to clean energy further boosts its appeal to foreign investors. Strategically located just south of Europe, Morocco benefits from its proximity and its comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Union — making it an increasingly valuable partner in global supply chains. Tags: chinese investments in MoroccogigafactoryGotion High-Tech
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Gotion to commence construction of Morocco gigafactory
Gotion Power Morocco, a branch of the Sino-European electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer Gotion High Tech, plans to commence construction of its gigafactory in Morocco soon, reported Reuters citing the company's Moroccan head Khalid Qalam. The move follows an investment agreement signed in June 2024 between Gotion High Tech and the Moroccan government. Planned to be built near Kenitra in northwestern Morocco, the proposed gigafactory is expected to mark the first of its kind on the African continent. It involves a total investment of $6.5bn. Qalam was cited by the news agency as saying at an industry conference in Rabat, Morocco, that the groundwork for the site had been finalised. He stated that the facility is expected to begin production in the third quarter of 2026. The project's initial phase will involve an investment of $1.3bn and deliver a production capacity of 20GW. Qalam noted that the company had reached an agreement with the Moroccan government to eventually expand capacity to 40GW in a second phase, though no timeline was disclosed. Beyond battery manufacturing, the facility will also produce cathodes and anodes. Qalam said the intention is to export the majority of production to Europe. "We have already received orders from many European car manufacturers," Qalam added. SK IE Technology Company (SKIET), an EV battery materials manufacturer belonging to South Korea's SK Group, signed a preliminary agreement to supply materials to Gotion High Tech Company. The deal provides for SKIET to supply separator materials for Gotion's EV battery and ESS plants located in the US and Europe. "Gotion to commence construction of Morocco gigafactory – report" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
China hits solid-state battery milestone with Gotion's 0.2 GWh pilot line for safer EVs
Gotion, one of the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers, has officially entered the all-solid-state battery race with the launch of its first experimental production line aimed to test and refine next-generation battery technologies. Unveiled during Gotion High-tech's 13th tech conference on May 17, the facility reportedly represents a major milestone in the shift toward safer, more efficient battery technologies that could define the future of electric mobility. Designed with a capacity of 0.2 gigawatt-hours (GWh), the newly built pilot line will produce Gotion's all-solid-state Gemstone battery cells, which are already undergoing real-world road testing in EVs and have shown promising results. The batteries deliver approximately 40 percent higher energy density compared to conventional lithium ternary cells, offering 350 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg) or 800 watt-hours per liter (Wh/L). This, according to the Chinese company, makes them a promising alternative for EVs. Pan Ruijun, Gemstone project research and development head, revealed that the entire production setup uses domestically manufactured equipment. He emphasized that the batteries have already been installed in vehicles and tested on the road. This, according to Ruijun, not only reduces the dependency on foreign suppliers, but also underscores China's accelerating leadership in battery innovation. He further pointed out that after a full year of performance validation, individual Gemstone cells have achieved a 150 percent increase in capacity, though exact figures were not disclosed. Gotion, in which Volkswagen holds a 24.45 percent interest, also highlighted that the batteries passed rigorous tests including pin-prick, hot-box, overcharge, and crush stimulations. The outcomes reinforced their promise as a safer alternative to traditional lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells, which are prone to overheating and thermal runaway. "This means that the human imagination of this ultimate battery is finally within reach," Ruijun stated. While no official mass production date was provided at this year's conference, the EV battery giant previously stated that small-scale production and vehicle integration could begin in 2027, with full-scale manufacturing expected by 2030. That timeline aligns with similar goals announced by major competitors. CATL and BYD, two other leading Chinese battery makers, have also outlined plans for limited deployment of solid-state batteries by 2027. However, despite growing industry excitement, significant hurdles remain for the commercial rollout of the solid-state technology. The company revealed that these include scaling up manufacturing, ensuring long-term material stability, and driving down production costs. Meanwhile, the Chinese government recently introduced stricter safety standards for EV batteries, set to take effect on 1 July next year, that aim to further improve cell safety. Yet, Gotion's transition to pilot-scale production serves as a strong indication that the solid-state battery industry is progressing beyond theoretical development and entering the early stages of practical implementation. With a 3.5 percent share of the global EV battery market as of Q1 2025, ranking it sixth worldwide according to SNE Research, the company is now positioning itself at the forefront of the solid-state revolution. If it meets its projected goals, the Gemstone line could play a central role in reshaping battery architecture and accelerating the transition to cleaner transportation.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Contributor: Why is the GOP resisting Chinese investment in the U.S.?
The United States and China are locked in a standoff with no resolution in sight. The U.S. wants to reshore manufacturing, and China wants to sell its manufactured products into the American market. It will take a creative solution to overcome this impasse, but it's very possible. President Trump himself has already previewed what a winning formula could look like. During his 2024 campaign, he repeatedly pledged to lure other countries' factories to the United States. At a rally in Michigan, he said: 'China has to build plants here and hire our workers. When I'm back in the White House, the way they will sell their product in America is to build it in America. They have to build it in America, and they have to use you people to build it.' When China began embracing a market economy in the 1970s, its leaders made a similar demand to American companies. In order to get access to the Chinese market, American firms would have to manufacture in China, hire Chinese workers and teach the Chinese the underlying technology. But times have changed. China is no longer America's pupil. When it comes to automobile and battery manufacturing, Chinese companies are years ahead of their American competition. It's time for us to learn from them. Gotion Inc., an advanced Chinese battery manufacturer, is currently building two plants in the United States. The Gotion plants in Michigan and Illinois together will employ 5,000 American workers and also train American engineers in the latest lithium battery technology. CATL, another Chinese battery company, is looking to build factories in partnership with American automakers. Their proposed factory in Michigan, a joint venture with Ford, would employ 2,500 Americans. These companies are attempting to build here because they want access to the U.S. market. By building in the U.S., they can avoid tariffs and more easily sell their batteries to American companies. In return, the U.S. gets good-paying jobs, the best batteries in the world and a more advanced manufacturing sector. But instead of embracing this as a victory, Republicans have brutally attacked both Gotion and CATL because they're Chinese. For them, every company from China is a national security threat, even if there's no specific evidence against them. According to the hawks, merely being Chinese-owned means the company is part of a covert operation directed by the Chinese government. Evidence to the contrary is simply ignored. In Gotion's case, they're a global company whose largest shareholder is Volkswagen; the U.S. operations are run by American executives; and the U.S. plants will be staffed by American workers. In CATL's case, it won't own the U.S. plant it helps build, but instead will be licensing technology to Ford, which will own the plant. But when it comes to China, such inconvenient facts are thrown out the window because politicians need to score political points. The China bashing has become so prevalent that Trump has had to clarify his position. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump said that he welcomes Chinese investment in the United States, and that he doesn't understand why some people have the impression that he doesn't. Of course, people have that impression because his underlings have been working overtime to prevent Chinese companies from investing here. Not only has Trump not slapped them down, but also he contradicted his own position by signing an executive order that makes it harder for the U.S. and China to invest in each other. If this current trajectory continues, there won't be more Gotions or CATLs announcing investments in America. Trump needs to make it clear that victory in the trade war includes Chinese manufacturers setting up shop here. If he doesn't, his staff may continue to sabotage what could be openings to defuse tensions with China. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has wisely called for an economic rebalancing with China. That will require adopting a rational approach, not one based on paranoia. It's time to turn this standoff into a victory. James Bacon was a special assistant to the president during the first Trump administration. If it's in the news right now, the L.A. Times' Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Why is the GOP resisting Chinese investment in the U.S.?
The United States and China are locked in a standoff with no resolution in sight. The U.S. wants to reshore manufacturing, and China wants to sell its manufactured products into the American market. It will take a creative solution to overcome this impasse, but it's very possible. President Trump himself has already previewed what a winning formula could look like. During his 2024 campaign, he repeatedly pledged to lure other countries' factories to the United States. At a rally in Michigan, he said: 'China has to build plants here and hire our workers. When I'm back in the White House, the way they will sell their product in America is to build it in America. They have to build it in America, and they have to use you people to build it.' When China began embracing a market economy in the 1970s, its leaders made a similar demand to American companies. In order to get access to the Chinese market, American firms would have to manufacture in China, hire Chinese workers and teach the Chinese the underlying technology. But times have changed. China is no longer America's pupil. When it comes to automobile and battery manufacturing, Chinese companies are years ahead of their American competition. It's time for us to learn from them. Gotion Inc., an advanced Chinese battery manufacturer, is currently building two plants in the United States. The Gotion plants in Michigan and Illinois together will employ 5,000 American workers and also train American engineers in the latest lithium battery technology. CATL, another Chinese battery company, is looking to build factories in partnership with American automakers. Their proposed factory in Michigan, a joint venture with Ford, would employ 2,500 Americans. These companies are attempting to build here because they want access to the U.S. market. By building in the U.S., they can avoid tariffs and more easily sell their batteries to American companies. In return, the U.S. gets good-paying jobs, the best batteries in the world and a more advanced manufacturing sector. But instead of embracing this as a victory, Republicans have brutally attacked both Gotion and CATL because they're Chinese. For them, every company from China is a national security threat, even if there's no specific evidence against them. According to the hawks, merely being Chinese-owned means the company is part of a covert operation directed by the Chinese government. Evidence to the contrary is simply ignored. In Gotion's case, they're a global company whose largest shareholder is Volkswagen; the U.S. operations are run by American executives; and the U.S. plants will be staffed by American workers. In CATL's case, it won't own the U.S. plant it helps build, but instead will be licensing technology to Ford, which will own the plant. But when it comes to China, such inconvenient facts are thrown out the window because politicians need to score political points. The China bashing has become so prevalent that Trump has had to clarify his position. At a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump said that he welcomes Chinese investment in the United States, and that he doesn't understand why some people have the impression that he doesn't. Of course, people have that impression because his underlings have been working overtime to prevent Chinese companies from investing here. Not only has Trump not slapped them down, but also he contradicted his own position by signing an executive order that makes it harder for the U.S. and China to invest in each other. If this current trajectory continues, there won't be more Gotions or CATLs announcing investments in America. Trump needs to make it clear that victory in the trade war includes Chinese manufacturers setting up shop here. If he doesn't, his staff may continue to sabotage what could be openings to defuse tensions with China. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has wisely called for an economic rebalancing with China. That will require adopting a rational approach, not one based on paranoia. It's time to turn this standoff into a victory. James Bacon was a special assistant to the president during the first Trump administration.
