Latest Update in the SMM Lithium Battery Cathode Precursor and Material Market

The dense media separation (DMS) processing plant at the site has cumulatively produced over 11,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate to date, demonstrating steady progress toward commercial production. During the final week of March 2025, the plant processed 13,400 tonnes of raw ore, yielding 1,920 tonnes of spodumene concentrate grading 5.63% Li₂O.

This week, lithium carbonate spot prices saw a notable decline, with the SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index dropping by CNY 911/ton to CNY 71,787/ton, driven by macroeconomic uncertainty and persistent oversupply.

[SMM Analysis]Recently, the United States has generally increased reciprocal tariffs on countries worldwide. However, the overall impact of this round of increased reciprocal tariffs on new energy vehicles is limited。This article summarizes the tariffs on new energy vehicles shipped from major countries around the globe at the current stage.

The 2025 Bangkok International Auto Show concluded with Chinese automaker BYD (including Denza) securing 10,353 orders, surpassing Toyota's 9,615 units for the first time, making it the best-selling car brand at the 2025 Bangkok Auto Show. Additionally, Chinese automakers collectively achieved 41,158 pre-orders, surpassing the 31,569 pre-orders of Japanese automakers. This marks a historic restructuring of the global automotive industry. This breakthrough not only reflects the technological iteration of China's NEVs but also signifies a new phase in the strategic competition between Chinese and Japanese automakers in the Southeast Asian market.