Chinese battery brands CATL and BYD dominate global EV consumer mindshare, NielsenIQ report shows
A NielsenIQ report released September 17, 2026, based on a global survey of 10,090 respondents, reveals that Chinese battery brands CATL and BYD have overtaken Japanese and Korean rivals in consumer mindshare. CATL leads overseas unaided brand recall at 26.7%, followed by BYD at 14.0%, surpassing LGES (12.6%) and Panasonic (8.7%). In China, 37.1% of consumers would abandon a desired car without a CATL battery. Over 80% of global consumers believe batteries determine EV safety, and 79% are more willing to pay for vehicles with trusted batteries. The report also notes that Chinese battery companies hold over 70% of the global top-10 market share.
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Battery Supply Certainty, Not Low Prices, Seen as Key to Automaker Profitability
An analysis by National Business Daily argues that the key to improving automaker profits in China's EV market is not simply lowering battery procurement costs through multi-sourcing or self-development, but securing long-term product certainty from battery suppliers. The article notes that despite efforts to reduce battery costs, the combined net profit of 15 major Chinese automakers fell by 140 billion yuan year-on-year in the first half of 2026, as cost savings were passed to consumers via price cuts. It highlights that battery safety, lifespan, and consistency over time are becoming critical competitive factors. Citing a NielsenIQ survey, it reports that 37.1% of Chinese consumers would abandon a car model if it did not use a CATL battery, and that CATL's brand trust is 81%. The article uses CATL as a case study, noting its 73% brand coverage among global EV brands and its partnerships with automakers like NIO. It concludes that while multi-sourcing is a useful tactic, delivering product certainty is the true competitive advantage in the market.
Read sourceNielsenIQ Survey: 37% of Chinese EV Buyers Would Skip a Car Without CATL Battery
A NielsenIQ report released on September 17, 2026, based on a global survey of 10,090 respondents conducted from April to June 2026, reveals that 37.1% of Chinese consumers would abandon a desired car model if it did not feature a CATL battery. The report indicates that battery brand trust is becoming a key purchase driver, with CATL's brand trust in China reaching 81%. The article argues that this trend is reshaping the relationship between automakers and battery suppliers, moving from simple price-based procurement to joint product definition and brand value sharing. It attributes CATL's high trust to its focus on safety, reliability, and long life, supported by over 100 billion yuan in R&D over the past decade and a new 'zero-defect' quality standard. The report also notes that CATL batteries are used in 73% of global EV brands and 42% of EV models. The analysis concludes that consumer preference for trusted battery brands is granting CATL significant pricing power in the industry.
Read sourcePower Batteries Redefine Global Car-Buying Logic, NielsenIQ Study Shows
A NielsenIQ report titled '2026 Global New Energy Vehicle Consumer Research Report' reveals that power batteries have become a decisive factor in global car purchases, surpassing intelligence and driving performance in importance for Chinese consumers. The study, covered by China Energy Network, shows that 80% of respondents view batteries as key to vehicle safety and quality. Globally, the top three reasons for choosing EVs are low operating costs, environmental friendliness, and battery technology progress. Regional differences persist: Chinese consumers prioritize battery safety and range, Southeast Asians focus on charging costs, and Western/Northern Europeans value charging speed. Chinese battery brands like CATL and BYD have gained strong international recognition. The report also cites China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology data showing Chinese battery companies hold over 70% of the global top-10 market share, with cumulative sales reaching 790.4 GWh in the first seven months of the year, up 37.1% year-on-year.
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Certainty, Not Low Prices, Seen as Key to Automaker Profitability in EV Battery Market
This analysis from East Money News examines the EV battery supply chain, arguing that long-term product certainty is becoming more critical than low procurement costs for automaker profitability. It notes that in the first half of 2026, 15 major Chinese automakers saw combined net profits fall by 140 billion yuan year-on-year to 210.48 billion yuan, as cost savings from supply chain cuts were passed to consumers via price cuts. The article highlights that battery maker CATL, despite absorbing some cost pressures, has achieved high market coverage, supplying 73% of EV brands and 45% of models globally. A NielsenIQ report cited states 37.1% of Chinese consumers would abandon a car purchase if it lacked CATL batteries, indicating battery brand influences consumer trust. The piece concludes that while automakers pursue multi-sourcing and self-development for cost and supply security, flagship models still favor proven suppliers like CATL, and that the battery competition has shifted from price to quality consistency, lifecycle management, and global delivery capability.
Read sourceNielsenIQ Report: Chinese Battery Brands Lead Global EV Consumer Mindshare, CATL Tops Overseas Recall
A NielsenIQ report on global new energy vehicle consumers shows Chinese battery brands dominate consumer mindshare. In overseas markets, CATL leads unaided brand recall at 26.7%, followed by BYD at 14.0%, surpassing South Korean LGES (12.6%) and Japanese Panasonic (8.7%). In China, CATL (40.9%) and BYD (25.3%) together hold nearly 70% of consumer mindshare. Globalization think tank CCG vice director Gao Zhikai expressed astonishment at the shift, noting Panasonic's diminished standing versus Chinese brands. The report also found over 80% of global consumers believe batteries determine EV safety, and 79% are more willing to buy EVs with trusted batteries. In China, 37.1% would not buy a desired car without a CATL battery. CATL's brand trust in China is 81%, with 39% very trusting; overseas, 38% very trust CATL versus 27% for LGES and 24% for BYD. The article also details battery industry investments in Henan province, including CATL's Luoyang base and BYD's Zhengzhou factory, which produces a battery cell every 3 seconds. Henan's lithium-ion battery output grew 95.7% year-on-year in Q1, with automotive lithium-ion power batteries up 155.8%.
NielsenIQ Report: Chinese Battery Brands Lead Global Mindshare, CATL Tops Overseas Recall
A NielsenIQ report on global new energy vehicle consumers shows that Chinese battery brands have overtaken Japanese and Korean rivals in consumer mindshare. In overseas markets, CATL leads unaided brand recall at 26.7%, followed by BYD at 14.0%, while LGES (12.6%), Panasonic (8.7%), Samsung SDI (5.4%), and SK ON (4.8%) trail. In China, CATL (40.9%) and BYD (25.3%) together command nearly 70% of consumer mindshare. Gao Zhikai, vice director of the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), expressed astonishment at the data, calling it a 'turning of an era.' The report also finds that over 80% of global consumers believe batteries determine EV safety, and 79% are more willing to pay for vehicles with trusted batteries. In China, 37.1% of consumers said they would not buy a desired car if it lacked a CATL battery. CATL's brand trust in China reaches 81%, with 39% expressing 'very high trust.' The report notes that Henan province is benefiting from CATL's Luoyang base and BYD's Zhengzhou factory, with lithium-ion battery output surging 95.7% year-on-year in Q1.