Localization Strategies of Chinese Battery Manufacturers in Europe: Case Study on Gotion

Abstract:

The rapid electrification of the automotive industry is reshaping global production networks and accelerating the international expansion of battery manufacturers. As battery cells become the technological core of electric vehicles, Chinese battery firms are increasingly establishing production capacities in Europe in response to market demand, industrial policies, and supply chain localization pressures. This paper examines the localization strategies of Chinese battery manufacturers in Europe, focusing on the case of Gotion and comparing it with other Chinese producers in the region. Drawing on the transfer and adaptation of the production models in the automotive industry, the study explores how firms balance standardized production technologies with adaptation to European institutional environments. Particular attention is paid to how different localization strategies influence production organization and emerging labor regimes in European battery manufacturing.