The Rise of the EV Battery King CATL
Tesla, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Ford, Nio, Great Wall Motor, Li Auto and many others.
What do these global giants have in common?
They all depend on the advanced battery technology developed by one company, catl.
This is a story of innovation and strategic brilliance that changed an entire industry.
In a small Chinese village, where the smell of rice paddies filled the air and the sounds of farmers echoed through the hills, Robin Zing's story began.
Born into poverty, his childhood was very different from the fancy offices he would later work in, his small hands rough from farm work.
Despite his lack of resources, his talent for learning stood out, catching the attention of teachers, A retired professor saw Zhang's potential and became his mentor, encouraging him to aim higher than anyone in his village had ever imagined.
As high school ended, he aimed for Shanghai Jiaotong University, one of China's top schools.
His acceptance was a significant moment celebrated by the whole village.
For Zhang, it marked the start of a new challenge, a move from rural life to a world of opportunities.
The academic challenges tested Xing.
He faced advanced topics in math, physics and engineering that were much harder than what he learned in his village.
The language barrier was another challenge, since many textbooks were in English, which he was still learning.
His village background gave him a strong spirit.
He approached his studies with determination, often spending long nights in the library and skipping meals while classmates enjoyed nightlife.
He focused on his goals, knowing he couldn't waste his chance.
His hard work paid off.
As the semesters passed, Zing's grades improved.
He not only caught up with his peers, but also began to excel beyond many of them.
Professors noticed the quiet, hard working student from the countryside who asked thoughtful questions and offered creative solutions to difficult problems.
In his final year, Xing's thesis on energy storage systems caught the engineering department's attention.
His work, although still developing, showed promise and creativity that suggested he would make significant contributions to the field.
On graduation day, he stood among the top graduates and his honors degree reflected his amazing journey.
Xing faced a difficult choice.
The safe path led to a state owned company that offered security and respect.
Yet despite these benefits, he felt unfulfilled.
The routine work paled in comparison to the intellectual excitement of his university days, leaving him restless and drawn to the cutting edge technologies.
After work, he spent time learning new things.
He read about technology and discovered Dongguan, a Chinese city growing fast in the tech world.
The city was becoming a major hub for making electronics, drawing many companies and talented workers.
Xing got more and more excited about Dongguan's busy tech scene and wanted to join it.
The city was full of new ideas and progress, with people building tomorrow's technology.
This was very different from what he was doing now.
Quitting a stable job at a state owned company was a tough choice.
When he talked about his plans with colleagues and family, they looked at him in disbelief and worry.
They reminded him of the security he would lose and the risks of starting fresh in a new city.
Their concerns were valid.
The electronics industry, while growing, was also very competitive and unstable.
After just three months at his state job, Jin made a brave choice that would change his life.
He resigned, packed his bags, and with only his savings and dreams, set off.
For Dongguan, this leap into the unknown soon paid off when he landed a job as an engineer at Shinka Electromagnetic Factory, a part of the Japanese company tdk.
Xingka was the world's largest independent supplier of hard disk magnetic heads, a key part of the fast growing computer industry.
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For Xing, this was his entry into the center of the electronics revolution.
At age 30, he reached a remarkable milestone when he became Zhengke's first mainland technical director.
This rapid advancement demonstrated both his exceptional technical abilities and his skill in managing the intricacies of a multinational corporation.
His tenure at Jianke proved invaluable as he engaged in various projects that enhanced his expertise in electronics manufacturing and battery technology.
After departing from Jingke, Robin Xing recognized an opportunity in the emerging lithium battery industry.
In 1999, he and two partners established Amperex Technology Limited in Hong Kong.
The company aimed to capitalize on the expanding battery market, which was driven by the growing popularity of consumer electronics, particularly mobile phones.
However, Xing's shift from technical director to startup founder was about to take a scary turn.
The team's inexperience in battery manufacturing led to a choice that almost put their new company at risk.
ATL bought a polymer lithium battery patent from Bell Labs for $1 million.
It seemed like a smart decision, promising technology that could help ATL compete with.