The 2026 Li Auto i6 is set to showcase an in-house design, boasting ultra-fast-charging batteries crafted by Sunwoda and CALB. Notably, CATL will no longer be the battery supplier for this flagship Li Auto model. Li Auto is not the only company taking this path; numerous prominent new energy vehicle manufacturers are actively engaging in in-house battery R&D. They are striving for greater autonomy in battery technology through diverse strategies, collectively moving towards a 'de-CATL' approach. Presently, when purchasing vehicles, over 30% of Chinese consumers still lean towards models equipped with CATL batteries, viewing them as a crucial factor in their decision-making process for buying electric cars. Automakers are opting to distance themselves from CATL mainly to cut down on the expenses associated with the most significant single cost component of a vehicle. This move is aimed at safeguarding profits amidst intense market competition and gaining control over the discourse surrounding core components. By doing so, they aim to eliminate the dual reliance on upstream battery companies, both in terms of technology and production capacity. Previously, automakers frequently experimented with diversifying their supply chains by bringing in secondary suppliers. However, this year, with the production capacity of second-tier battery manufacturers stabilizing, automakers' core demands have intensified. This has led to a concentrated surge in the 'de-CATL' trend. CATL has not only lost some orders but also confronts the more profound challenge of its former clients transitioning from partners to competitors within the same sector (or market).