Debrecen4U
November 7, 2025
The Debrecen plant plays a key role in CATL’s European expansion
By introducing products and services tailored to European consumers, CATL seeks to further strengthen its market presence in Europe, a strategy in which the Debrecen plant plays a key role.
Matt Shen, managing director of CATL’s German and Hungarian subsidiaries, stated at the Hungarian Battery Days conference that the company’s innovative products, local manufacturing, and sustainable supply chains all contribute to CATL’s integration into the European economy and support the continent’s transition to electric vehicles.
2025 brought new technological breakthroughs in the field of e-mobility
Shen Feng, Managing Director of CATL’s German and Hungarian subsidiaries, emphasized in his November 6 presentation in Budapest that thanks to intensive product development, the range and charging speed of electric cars are continuously improving, making them increasingly attractive and accessible to a wider group of consumers. Meanwhile, the European market is showing renewed growth: by the end of 2025, electric vehicles are expected to account for 29% of new car sales.
So far, CATL batteries have been installed in 20 million vehicles worldwide, giving the company a global market share of 37.9%. Since 2019, CATL has invested $10 billion in research and development, employing more than 21,000 researchers and holding nearly 50,000 patents.
Growing demand for electric vehicles is fueled by technological innovation. A prime example is CATL’s Shenxing Pro battery, introduced this year after seven years of R&D, specifically designed to meet European consumer needs. One model offers up to 758 km WLTP range and a lifespan of 1 million km, with only a 9% performance drop after 200,000 km. Another type enables ultra-fast charging: 500 km range with just 20 minutes of charging, even in cold weather.
Business strategy tailored to Europe—“In Europe, from Europe, of Europe”
CATL is committed to being not just a global supplier but a true European partner in the spread of e‑mobility. Its strategy—”In Europe, from Europe, of Europe”—focuses on localization, cooperation, and sustainability. “Our goal is to become an integral part of the European economic ecosystem and to offer solutions that meet the needs of European users while fully complying with European regulations and environmental expectations,” stressed Matt Shen.
CATL is not only a manufacturer but also an active participant in building a European circular economy. The company works with European companies in the field of recycling to create a closed-loop, sustainable battery value chain.
Debrecen Investment
The Debrecen plant is currently CATL’s largest production base outside China and will play a strategic role in the company’s European expansion: it contributes to meeting local battery needs, strengthens the company’s global manufacturing network, and supports the transition to electric mobility on the continent. Production lines are now being installed at the Debrecen cell factory, with trial production set to begin soon. The plant will not only serve as a production hub but also provide flexible manufacturing solutions tailored to customer needs.
Assembly of battery modules began in August 2024 in Debrecen, and 120,000 modules have already been produced, enabling the manufacture of 30,000 electric cars.
Production in Debrecen is specifically aligned with European customer requirements, in close cooperation with clients. To meet increased capacity needs, the company launched a new recruitment campaign in October in Debrecen and its surroundings to ensure sufficient staff for the smooth start of cell production, relying as much as possible on local labor.
Source:dehir.hu | Photo credit: Facebook Papp László
