Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) is preparing to launch production at its new facility in Debrecen, Hungary by early 2026, according to Matt Shen, the company’s general manager for Europe. The announcement was made during the IAA Mobility car show in Munich, where CATL emphasized its strategic expansion into the European market.
The €7.3 billion ($8.55 billion) investment marks one of the largest foreign industrial projects in Hungary and is expected to significantly boost CATL’s supply capacity for European automakers including BMW, Stellantis, and Volkswagen. Once operational, the plant will have an annual production capacity of 100 gigawatt-hours and employ up to 9,000 workers.
The Debrecen facility will complement CATL’s existing European operations in Thuringia, Germany, and is part of the company’s broader effort to support the region’s transition to electric mobility. CATL currently holds a 38% share of the global EV battery market, reinforcing its position as a leading supplier amid growing demand for sustainable energy solutions.
