FAW Leapmotor Strategic Cooperation Expands Battery R&D

FAW and Leapmotor Expand Strategic Cooperation

FAW Leapmotor strategic cooperation is expanding through new investment and technology agreements covering powertrain systems and advanced battery development. On September 17, China FAW Group Co., Ltd (FAW) held a signing ceremony with Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., Ltd (Leapmotor) in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province. FAW subsidiaries FAW Qixin Power (Changchun) Technology Co., Ltd (Qixin Power) and China Automotive New Energy Battery Technology Co., Ltd (CANEB) signed separate agreements with Leapmotor. The arrangements build on an Agreement on Deepening Strategic Cooperation signed by the two companies on August 24 and establish additional areas for investment, technology development, resource sharing, and supply chain collaboration.

Qixin Power Investment and Powertrain Cooperation

Under the letter of intent for investment, Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co Ltd plans to participate as a strategic investor in Qixin Power’s Series A financing. The investment is intended to deepen cooperation between Leapmotor and Qixin Power in key powertrain areas while supporting broader strategic collaboration and resource sharing. The companies will advance cooperation involving hybrid engines, electric drive systems, and range extenders. The arrangement therefore combines an investment relationship with technical collaboration across multiple powertrain technologies, providing a framework for the two companies to coordinate development and resources in areas identified as important to their respective cooperation plans.

Battery Technology Agreement Covers Multiple Chemistries

The technology cooperation agreement between Leapmotor and CANEB focuses on advanced battery technologies and the commercialization of standardized battery cells. The companies will jointly pursue research and development involving solid-state batteries, lithium-rich manganese-based batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and ultra-fast-charging lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Their agreement also calls for targeted development and application of standardized battery cells. Beyond battery development, the two sides will explore cooperation in battery recycling and overseas battery supply chains. The scope gives the battery partnership a broad technology and commercialization focus, linking research activities with standardized cell applications and potential downstream supply chain cooperation.

Agreements Extend Earlier Strategic Partnership

The latest agreements deepen the relationship between China FAW Group Co Ltd and Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co Ltd after the companies signed their Agreement on Deepening Strategic Cooperation on August 24. The September 17 signing adds more specific cooperation mechanisms through Qixin Power and CANEB, covering investment, powertrain products and technologies, battery research, standardized cells, recycling, and overseas supply chains. The structure also involves multiple FAW subsidiaries, allowing the broader relationship to extend into specialized areas rather than remaining limited to a general strategic framework. This makes the new agreements a further implementation step following the companies’ earlier strategic cooperation agreement.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The agreements could strengthen cooperation across powertrain and battery technology by connecting investment, research, standardized cell development, recycling, and overseas supply chain exploration within a broader relationship between China FAW Group Co Ltd and Leapmotor. For Qixin Power, the planned Series A investment provides a pathway for deeper collaboration on hybrid engines, electric drives, and range extenders, while CANEB’s agreement expands joint battery technology work across several chemistries. The practical significance will depend on how these agreements progress into development and commercialization activities, making execution of the identified technology, investment, and supply chain initiatives the key next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

What agreements did FAW subsidiaries sign with Leapmotor?
FAW subsidiaries Qixin Power and CANEB signed separate agreements with Leapmotor covering investment and technology cooperation, respectively, as part of a broader strategic relationship. Qixin Power signed a letter of intent for investment under which Leapmotor plans to participate in its Series A financing and expand powertrain cooperation. CANEB signed a technology cooperation agreement focused on advanced battery research and standardized battery cells. The agreements also establish areas for collaboration involving powertrain technologies, battery recycling, and overseas battery supply chains, extending the strategic cooperation framework previously established by FAW and Leapmotor.