China: JAC to use CATL’s new skateboard chassis

JAC's EV unit Yiwei and battery maker CATL have signed an agreement, according to which the automaker will develop new models based on CATL's new skateboard chassis called Bedrock. The deal also includes joint research and development of chassis technologies.

The two companies already signed a strategic cooperation agreement in January last year, saying Yiwei would use CATL’s CIIC (CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis) skateboard chassis. According to earlier reports, the Bedrock chassis is the flagship version of the latter.

The vehicles to be developed using the EV platform with cell-to-chassis technology will include all-electric vehicles with battery-swapping technology, as well as extended-range electric vehicles (EREV). It is not clear when the first models will hit the road.

As mentioned above, Yiwei and CATL will also jointly research and develop advanced intelligent chassis technologies. According to a statement from Yiwei, and reported by Cn EV Post, these technologies include thermal management, battery packs and EE architectures.

CATL presented its new skateboard chassis called Bedrock, designed for an exceptionally high level of safety, at the end of last year. According to CATL, it offers an exceptionally high level of safety. For example, the Bedrock chassis can absorb 85 per cent of the vehicle’s collision energy (compared to around 60 per cent absorbed by conventional chassis). The chassis is designed to withstand an impact at 120 kph without catching fire or exploding.

In August 2024, it was reported that the Neta S Kombi would be the first to use CATL’s CIIC skateboard chassis. Again, though the battery maker did not directly confirm this, the recently presented Bedrock chassis is the flagship version of the latter, according to Chinese media. However, as automaker Neta faces financial difficulties, models from other carmakers using the CIIC skateboard chassis will hit the road first. For example, Avatr will be the first manufacturer to use the new Bedrock chassis. This is not surprising, as CATL holds a minority stake in the car manufacturer, the largest shareholder being Changan.

cnevpost.com