CATL: Global battery supremacy
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) was founded in 1999 under the name ATL. Initially, it had no technology of its own, and the founder, Zeng Yuqun, traveled to the US and acquired a patent for a lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) battery from Bell Laboratories. Then, through a series of technological breakthroughs that came one after the other, CATL became the supplier of Apple, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla. On 29 July 2021, CATL unveiled its first generation of sodium-ion batteries, an important pivot away from lithium-based batteries. In addition to sodium-ion batteries, for many years CATL has been deeply involved in researching and developing solid-state batteries, which are deemed to be the most promising technology to improve energy density significantly. Through continuous technology innovation, CATL enjoyed a market value of roughly $203 billion by July 2021. This, according to The Economist, was greater than the combined value of lg Chem, Panasonic and BYD the world’s second-, third- and fourth-largest battery producers.
- In a field where technology is king, the primary success factor must be continuous technological innovation and breakthroughs
- Win over your benchmark customer first
- Government support is essential for technology innovation
CATL, Automotive, Automobiles, Automotive, Electric Vehicles
1999-2021
Cranfield University
Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]
Harvard Business School Publishing
60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]
NUCB Business School
1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]
IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
In this study, we analyze how the performance-aspiration gap influences strategic change in family firms, providing evidence of the moderating role...
The call by the former Italian prime minister and ECB president for massive investment in the EU is a wake-up call to Europe's economic stagnation....
The AI boom — and the growth of gen AI in particular — has introduced new points of conflict between employees and companies. Some of these have al...
The case highlights the significant role played by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in reducing its environmental footprint and promoting ...
Artificial intelligence (AI) has already transformed how we work and communicate. Now, it’s making its way into our pockets. Apple launched its iPh...
GE Appliances was named one of the Most Innovative Companies in the consumer goods category by Fast Company, largely due to their cutting-edge smar...
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in Review of Managerial Science October 2024, vol. 18, pp. 2981-3005 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-023-00703-3
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications