Chinese battery giant CATL plans to begin production at its massive factory in Debrecen, Hungary, in early 2026. With this facility, the company aims to strengthen its presence in the European market and increase its collaborations with automakers in the region.

CATL Opens Hungary Factory

CATL invested 7.3 billion euros ($8.55 billion) in the construction of the factory. Upon completion, the facility will reportedly reach an annual battery production capacity of 100 gigawatt-hours and create 9,000 jobs.

This capacity translates to a significantly larger production volume than CATL’s Thuringia facility in Germany. Matt Shen, the company’s European General Manager, confirmed to Reuters that production, initially scheduled to begin at the end of 2025, has been slightly delayed to early 2026.

CATL maintains its leadership in the global electric vehicle battery market. The company increased its global market share to 38 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. This growth also demonstrates the company’s financial strength. CATL also channeled the $4.6 billion proceeds from its initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange last May directly into this project in Hungary.

With the new facility operational, CATL will be able to provide closer and faster service to European auto giants such as BMW, Stellantis, and Volkswagen. Experts say the Hungarian factory will significantly increase Europe’s electric vehicle battery production capacity and contribute significantly to the region’s automotive sector.

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