CATL CAIT partners with Togg Bedrock

CAIT, the CATL subsidiary that develops skateboard chassis systems, said on May 7 that it had signed a strategic partnership with Turkish automaker Togg to co-develop a platform for Togg’s new B-segment electric vehicle family. The companies said the agreement was signed on April 29 and marks the first overseas passenger-vehicle project for CATL’s Bedrock Chassis platform. Under the deal, CAIT will provide Bedrock Chassis technology and engineering support for three models that Togg plans for Turkey and Europe. Financial terms were not disclosed. ### Which companies signed, and who was in the room? Togg CEO Gürcan Karakaş, CATL Chief Customer Officer and co-president of sales and marketing Libin Tan, and CAIT CEO Hanbing Yang signed the agreement for their companies, CATL said. Togg Chairman Fuat Tosyalı and CATL Chairman and Chief Executive Robin Zeng attended as witnesses, according to CATL’s statement. (catl.com) The April 29 signing date matters because the announcement was published on May 7, indicating the companies had already formalized the partnership before disclosing it publicly. CATL described the project as the first overseas passenger-car program for the Bedrock platform. ### What exactly is Togg buying or building with CAIT? CAIT said it will contribute Bedrock Chassis technology and engineering expertise while working with Togg to jointly develop the platform for three vehicles in Togg’s new B-segment family. (catl.com) CATL said the platform is being developed in line with Togg’s product strategy, user expectations and mobility ecosystem, and will support next-generation electric vehicles for the Turkish and European markets. Markets tied to the announcement described the scope as platform engineering and module integration for Togg’s upcoming EV models. The official CATL release does not set out separate commercial terms, pricing or sourcing volumes, but it does say the work covers joint development rather than a simple off-the-shelf supply arrangement. (catl.com) ### What is Bedrock, and why does CATL keep highlighting safety? CATL launched the Bedrock Chassis on December 24, 2024, describing it as an “ultra-safe skateboard chassis.” The company said at launch that the platform could withstand a 120 km/h frontal impact without catching fire or exploding. The Bedrock design is part of CATL’s push beyond battery-cell supply into integrated vehicle hardware. (markets.businessinsider.com) CATL said the chassis is battery-centered and intended to combine core components into a common platform, which would let automakers develop multiple upper-body models on the same underpinnings. That description comes from CATL’s own launch materials. ### Why is Togg using it for B-segment models? (catl.com) Togg said the partnership will be used for its new B-segment family, a smaller vehicle class than many of the larger electric sport utility vehicles now on sale in Europe. CATL’s statement says the companies will jointly develop three models, and outside reports on the announcement said the first is slated for mass production in 2027. (catl.com) The choice of a shared chassis for three models suggests Togg is trying to build a broader lineup on a common architecture, though neither company disclosed model names, battery sizes or factory locations in the announcement. That is an inference from the stated three-model scope and the use of a modular chassis platform. ### What comes next, and when? The companies said engineering work will support Togg’s next-generation EVs for Turkey and Europe, and reports linked to the deal said the first model is due for mass production in 2027. (catl.com) CATL did not disclose a start-of-engineering date, contract value or production volume in its statement. In the next step, Togg and CAIT are expected to work on the three-model B-segment platform, with the first vehicle scheduled for 2027 production for the Turkish and European markets, according to CATL’s announcement and follow-on reports. (catl.com)