China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has published a commentary titled “The 'De-CATL' Rhetoric Is Unwarranted,” pushing back against a narrative that automakers are deliberately reducing their reliance on battery giant CATL. The article, carried by the ministry-affiliated outlet China Industry News on September 22, argues that automakers diversifying battery suppliers or developing in-house batteries is a normal market move to secure supply chains and optimize costs, not a targeted exclusion of domestic leaders.
The commentary notes that 17 Chinese companies made the 2026 global top-100 auto parts suppliers list by Automotive News, ranking second worldwide. However, it cautions that the overall revenue scale of Chinese parts makers still lags behind those in Germany and Japan, and warns against artificially promoting a “cutting the peaks to fill the valleys” approach. It also criticizes low-price disorderly competition and marketing gimmicks that substitute for genuine R&D, calling for a healthy competitive and collaborative ecosystem.
Xpeng Robot and Li Auto Milestones
Separately, Xpeng's humanoid robot project has completed supplier audits and selected core components, according to a source cited by The Paper. On September 22, Xpeng held its first robot supply chain partner conference, attended by leading suppliers in actuators, dexterous hands, sensors, and AI chips. Notably, Tesla's robot team has also been auditing Chinese suppliers recently, and the source said there is “high overlap” in core supplier choices between the two companies.
Li Auto announced via its official Weibo account that cumulative deliveries of the Li L6 have surpassed 410,000 units. The automaker also claimed that in August 2026, the new-generation Li L6 became the sales champion among range-extender models.
Supply Chain and Tech Developments
Dongfeng Motor's R&D institute said its self-developed Mach Power P2.5 single-motor hybrid electric drive prototype has come off the production line. The company claims the architecture, an alternative to the conventional P1+P3 dual-motor setup, offers a cost-effective four-wheel-drive solution with a 39% weight reduction.
Deepal, in collaboration with Intel, unveiled an AI BOX based on Intel Core Ultra at the 2026 Intel Technology and Ecosystem Conference. The device will be installed in a special edition of the Deepal L06, marking the first time PC-level on-device AI computing power is brought into the cabin in the 150,000-yuan (about $21,100) segment, according to the report.
In other news, BAIC Group and Shandong Heavy Industry Group signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement covering core parts, new energy product development, and intelligent connectivity. BYD's FinDreams Battery signed a strategic framework agreement with Sichuan Guorui Technology to collaborate on drilling equipment electrification, energy storage, and power battery applications.
Rosenberger held a signing ceremony for a high-speed automotive connector and data center fiber optic connector project in Changzhou, while Fangzheng Motor's R&D headquarters in Shanghai's Jiading hydrogen energy port completed its main structure. The project, with a total investment of about 500 million yuan (about $70.4 million), is a major annual industrial project for the district.
Finally, Saudi Arabia's first local car brand, Ceer, unveiled its debut models, the Exobot electric sedan and SUV. Built on a platform with an 800V architecture and a 112kWh battery, the high-performance version delivers up to 1,111 hp (828 kW). Ceer, a joint venture between Saudi's Public Investment Fund and Taiwan's Hon Hai Group, plans seven models in five years, with sales starting in early 2027. According to the report, the brand is a key part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.
