Chongqing - On May 13, CATL signed a memorandum of understanding with Changan Mazda to co-develop new energy vehicles. The partnership will combine CATL’s advanced Integrated Intelligent Chassis (CIIC), also known as the skateboard chassis, with Changan Mazda’s automotive manufacturing expertise.

CATL announced the signing MOU with Changan Mazda to jointly develop NEVs. (Photo/CATL)

The skateboard chassis is an integrated platform designed for electric vehicles. It combines components such as braking, suspension, electric drive systems, and batteries into a single chassis module, allowing automakers to rapidly develop different models according to market demands.

As China’s leading battery manufacturer, CATL has recently accelerated its expansion into chassis solutions. According to the company, its chassis shortens vehicle development cycles, lowers R&D and material costs, and offers high scalability, paving the way for more modular, customized, and intelligent vehicle designs.

However, many automakers remain skeptical. According to Caixin, a technical executive from an automaker who declined to be named, the prevailing view in the industry is that the chassis represents the "soul" of a vehicle, and automakers are reluctant to cede control. Companies collaborating with CATL on its chassis, such as Neta Auto and Avatr, have also received investment from CATL.

In December 2024, CATL released a new generation of its CIIC chassis, to be first applied by Avatr — a high-end NEV brand jointly developed by Changan Automobile, CATL, and Huawei.

The NETA S shooting brake version, launched in August 2024, is equipped with the CIIC platform. The model has underperformed in the market. NETA Auto is now facing operational difficulties and is on the brink of bankruptcy — a reflection of the fierce competition in China’s NEV market. According to the National Enterprise Bankruptcy Information Disclosure Platform, its parent company, Hozon New Energy Auto Co., Ltd., was listed in a bankruptcy review case on May 13.

According to Caixin, the agreement with Changan Mazda marks CATL’s first CIIC collaboration with a joint-venture passenger car brand.

Changan Mazda is a joint venture between Changan Automobile, an automaker in Chongqing, and Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan. In recent years, Mazda has struggled in the Chinese market. Changan said Changan Mazda sold 75,637 vehicles in 2024, down 14.69% year-on-year. Sales in the first four months of 2025 stood at 24,075 units, a 5.02% year-on-year decline.

In October 2024, Changan Mazda launched its EZ-6 NEV model using Changan's EPA platform. (Photo/Autohome)

Mazda leverages the technological strengths of its Chinese partner, Changan, to keep pace with electrification. In October 2024, Changan Mazda launched its EZ-6 NEV model using Changan’s EPA platform, according to an article on www.Dongchedi.com, a major Chinese automotive information platform.

As Chinese brands gain market share with competitive NEV offerings, global automakers are turning to Chinese technology to stay relevant.

According to CCTV News, at Auto Shanghai 2025, Toyota announced a strategic partnership with the Shanghai government, including the establishment of a wholly owned Lexus plant in the city. For the first time globally, Toyota also introduced a “China chief engineer” system, with Chinese engineers leading new product development.

More recently, BMW China announced the integration of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI large model. Starting in Q3 2025, the technology will be introduced across several locally produced BMW vehicles featuring the brand’s 9th-generation operating system.