Emir BardakçıThe exciting development for the EV industry is that Beijing Times Power Battery Co., Ltd. has just been renamed Times BAIC (Beijing) New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. All this happened on December 31, 2024, and was a big step forward into the future with a joint venture that has grown through expanded business operations and opening new opportunities for innovation.
From here onwards, the newly christened entity has expanded its work to cover a wide scope of activities: technical consulting, technology development, technology promotion, battery sales, and import/export services.
A Strategic Alliance with Xiaomi’s Touch
This new venture is a partnership among a few of the industry leaders. Times BAIC was initially established in May 2024, with its capitalization fixed at 1 billion RMB, which roughly comes to $137 million in USD. The ownership structure underlines the strategic value of this alliance:
- CATL: 51% (The Majority Shareholder) BAIC Hailanxin Energy Technology: 39%
- Xiaomi Automobile Technology: 5%
- Beijing Jingneng Technology : 5% Underpinning the lead of CATL in battery technology and BAIC in-depth knowledge of automotive products, Xiaomi’s strong innovation in smart ecosystems-in this cooperation marks a very good beginning for the new future of EV energy solutions.
The Vision: Lighthouse Factories Power a Zero-Carbon
Future The venture aims to shake up the landscape in electric vehicle batteries through the project Beijing CATL Battery Base. This plant, launched on June 18, 2024, was designed to be a “lighthouse factory” with:
- High Automation
- Flexible production lines
- Zero-carbon technology
This forward-thinking project will eventually produce batteries for automakers in the region of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, such as BAIC and Xiaomi Automobile. It is these kinds of initiatives that truly align with the broader vision of sustainability and innovation that Xiaomi is driving, especially with the integration of HyperOS on vehicles to showcase seamless connectivity of smartphones with EVs.
A Boost for Xiaomi Automobile’s Electric Ambitions
Although Xiaomi’s stake of 5% seems insignificant on the surface, it conveys the ambition of the brand in moving beyond smart devices to electric vehicles. The deal allows Xiaomi to bring its HyperOS ( philosophy into automotive technology, integrating intelligent battery solutions into its upcoming electric vehicles.
This investment by Xiaomi Automobile also represents the participation of Times BAIC and its interest in using HyperOS in connected vehicles. The synergy will no doubt enhance the position of Xiaomi in the EV market with a guarantee of driving smarter and energy-efficiently.
Changing Leadership and Strategic Growth
Times BAIC, while rebranding, announced a change in leadership positions so that the company could match an expanded scope of operations, hence driving growth and recognition as a leader in next-generation battery technologies.
We believe this joint venture helped Xiaomi to cement its position in the EV market and commit to a sustainable, power-interconnected future. With the backing of CATL’s expertise, BAIC’s automotive prowess, and Xiaomi’s innovation in smart ecosystems, Times BAIC is likely to change the way EV battery production and usage have been perceived so far. Stay tuned for more updates on Xiaomi’s electric vehicle and smart ecosystem efforts!
