Covestro and Chinese premium electric vehicle (EV) brand HiPhi unveiled a joint laboratory at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) to advance low-carbon footprint material solutions and smart technologies the automotive industry.
The joint lab will mainly focus on the commercialisation of low-carbon material solutions in future EV models and the establishment of relevant standards, as well as the development of next-generation smart surface technologies and battery solutions. This initiative builds upon a cooperation agreement signed between the two companies at the CIIE last year.
HiPhi’s EVs have incorporated Covestro’s materials since 2018. Covestro’s material solutions have been applied to HiPhi’s flagship models, including polycarbonate solutions in the all-electric SUV HiPhi X. HiPhi Z, a smart sports sedan, employs polycarbonate grades for the touchpad switch on its steering wheel, as well as high performance waterborne polyurethane adhesives for auto interiors. On display at Covestro’s booth at the CIIE is the HiPhi Y, the latest luxury SUV that incorporates advanced polycarbonate solutions from Covestro, most notably in the headlamp and LiDAR lenses.
"We’re delighted to deepen our collaboration with HiPhi," said Dr. Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro, during the unveiling ceremony at Covestro’s booth at the CIIE. "We set out to address the key challenges of future mobility with the launch of the joint lab. With our common commitment to pioneering low-carbon smart mobility and by combining our strengths and resources, we believe the lab will accelerate the automotive industry’s transformation towards a smarter and climate-neutral future."
The announcement comes as the German automotive industry is losing the EV race to China.
The market share of electric cars shipped to Germany from China more than tripled in the first quarter of 2023, according to data from the German statistics office. From January to March, 28.2% of passenger cars with electric motors imported into Germany came from China, compared with 7.8% in the same quarter the previous year, the office said.
Automotive News Europe, a Crain Communications’ publication, reported this September that HiPhi has 20 to 25 percent of premium EV market in China, where the brands competes with luxury German brands like Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Porsche.