China’s SVOLT halts German growth plans, like CATL, as sales fall

HAMBURG, Germany — Chinese makers of electric vehicle batteries are curtailing their production plans in Germany as falling EV purchases in Europe’s largest auto market hamper their sales.

SVOLT Energy Technology, spun off Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor, said last week it would halt plans to build a battery cell plant in Lauchhammer in eastern Germany’s Brandenburg state, citing what it called the “new European strategy” and the cancellation of a large customer order.