Xiaomi Selects Sunwoda, CALB for Pengcheng SUV Longjia Batteries
- tech360.tv
- Aug 20
- 3 min read
Xiaomi has modified its battery supplier arrangements for the Pengcheng crossover SUV. The company will now use Sunwoda and CALB for its inaugural self-developed Longjia battery pack. This represents a change from previous models, where Contemporary Amperex Technology, known as CATL, and BYD were the primary suppliers. The Longjia battery marks Xiaomi's first instance of attaching its name directly to a power battery unit.
The introduction of the Longjia battery on the Pengcheng SUV signifies a shift in Xiaomi's approach to battery production. For earlier models, including the SU7 and YU7, the organisation outsourced battery component integration to external providers. Contemporary Amperex Technology and BYD's FinDreams Battery handled much of this, with Xiaomi contributing minimally to fundamental cell design. The Pengcheng programme alters this. Xiaomi now leads product definition, owns pack design, participates in cell design, and runs full-process quality control. This is supported by a dedicated battery team exceeding 220 personnel and an in-house pack manufacturing plant in Yizhuang.
According to Pandaily, the alteration in supplier selection stands as the most evident aspect of this revised strategy. Based on official filings in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's 409th batch of new vehicle catalogues, the standard Pengcheng Kunlun N3 model, in its N70 configuration, incorporates lithium iron phosphate cells from Sunwoda Electric Vehicle Battery. This choice prioritises cost efficiency and operational dependability. And, for the higher-specification N70 Max and N90 Max variants, a ternary lithium pack is supplied by CALB, also known as China Aviation Lithium Battery Technology. This 76 kWh unit is designed for extended range capabilities.
Both Sunwoda and CALB exhibit a natural alignment with vehicle development plans that feature range-extended products. Sunwoda currently holds the position of China's largest hybrid-cell supplier, measured by domestic hybrid electric vehicle installations. CALB, meanwhile, registered as the third-largest in China and the fourth-largest globally in terms of power battery installations. This market presence suggests experience with varied battery requirements.
The internal architecture of the battery pack also indicates a strategic change in design philosophy. Xiaomi has implemented a system separating the Battery Management Unit, Battery Disconnect Unit, and Cell Monitoring Unit into distinct, isolated compartments. The Battery Disconnect Unit receives dedicated liquid cooling. But, Sunwoda and CALB have expressed readiness to modify cell formats for Xiaomi's two capacity requirements. They are also prepared to adjust production-line inspection procedures.
Such flexibility is less common among larger battery providers like Contemporary Amperex Technology and BYD, understood to be less adaptable in structural operations. The pricing structures offered by Sunwoda and CALB also provide Xiaomi with greater negotiating room. This arrangement aligns with the stated aim of bringing battery design control back to the carmaker, moving it from the cell manufacturers. This represents a notable shift in the automotive battery component supply chain dynamic.
The approach to thermal management within the battery system has also undergone a reversal. Previously, the SU7 model employed Contemporary Amperex Technology's Qilin battery. In that design, cells were oriented upside down, allowing thermal-runoff gases to vent downwards through the vehicle's chassis. That specific layout involved 165 sheets and 7.8 square metres of aerogel material surrounding the battery. So, the Pengcheng model now adopts a conventional cell mounting arrangement.
Under the new thermal management scheme, gases vent upwards from the battery pack. The system also incorporates mica and multilayer insulation positioned above the pack itself. This alteration represents a deliberate exchange. It involves fewer specific thermal management innovations. Instead, the design prioritises a simpler cell format. This format can be produced at scale and at a lower cost by these second-tier suppliers. Such a practical design choice is a direct fit for the overall market positioning of the Pengcheng model.
Xiaomi has transitioned from Contemporary Amperex Technology and BYD to Sunwoda and CALB for its Longjia battery pack in the Pengcheng SUV.
The Longjia battery marks Xiaomi's first self-developed and branded power battery.
Xiaomi now leads product definition, pack design, and participates in cell design for the Pengcheng programme.
Sunwoda and CALB offer greater flexibility in cell formats and production inspection compared to previous suppliers.
The new thermal management system employs conventional cell mounting, upward venting, and mica plus multilayer insulation.
Source: Pandaily
