Chinese battery maker CATL intends to establish its presence in the Philippines to support the growing local market for electric vehicles (EVs).
Sixto Benedicto, president of the Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU), made the statement in an interview with this paper on the sidelines of the APCU Awards in Manila on Monday.
“It’s still exploratory at this time. But the plan is to cater to the local market, not just for Chinese brands but for Japanese and Korean brands as well,” Benedicto said.
CATL executives recently met with potential local partners following a trade mission of APCU in Nanning, southern China, in April.
Benedicto said two more Chinese luxury EV brands Hongqi and Lynk & Co. have recently entered the Philippines, adding to a growing list of Chinese EV brands in the country.
Certain parts of the Philippines are rich in so-called critical minerals such as copper, chromite and nickel, which are used in EV batteries production.
Chinese companies engaged in electric trucks and buses are also keen on bringing their vehicles to the Philippine market. Benedicto declined to elaborate.
Headquartered in Fujian, CATL describes itself on its website as a global leader of new energy innovative technologies.
CATL was founded in 1999 as ATL to become a major player in the field of lithium-ion batteries for consumer electronics.
The CATL website counts among its clients such brands as Tesla, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Toyota, Honda, as well as Chinese automakers such as BAIC Motor, Geely, GAC Group and Yutong Bus.
Sales of EVs in the first four months of 2025 reached 6,820, with the addition of 1,509 units in April, according to a report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc.
Some of the Chinese EV brands in the Philippines are BYD, Foton, Geely, Hongqing and GAC.
Benedicto said APCU is generally a people-to-people private organization promoting education, cultural and science exchanges between the Philippines and China for more than 50 years. It has also been assisting Chinese companies wishing to do business with Filipino counterparts. The last two were held in Chongqing in March and in Nanning in April.
APCU announced that the 5th Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) will be held on June 3, 2025 at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel, paying special tribute to Filipinos who have promote mutual understanding between the Philippines and China using their respective advocacies and expertise.
