New CATL CIIC Platform Seeks To Reshape EV Manufacturing

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) is making a bold move into the skateboard chassis market. This signals its growing interest in integrated intelligent platforms that can help automakers speed up EV development.

CATL’s Integrated Intelligent Chassis platform (CIIC), is designed with a modular system and a decoupled upper and lower body. Its standardised interfaces make it easy to adapt to different vehicle types, allowing for faster vehicle development cycles.

The advantages of this approach are clear - lower costs, faster development, and simplified engineering. But widespread adoption hasn’t come easy. Traditional car manufacturers have been cautious, often hesitant to outsource core technologies like the chassis - as it plays a key role in defining a vehicle’s performance, safety, and overall identity.

Still, the partnership between CATL and Changan Mazda may mark a turning point. It shows how automakers and tech suppliers can collaborate to produce high-quality, efficient new energy vehicles.

Until now, skateboard chassis have mostly been used in niche segments - robotaxis, delivery bots, and modified vehicles. These markets offer limited scale, which has held back mass adoption and profitability.

Another challenge lies in balancing standardisation with the need for customisation. Automakers often require unique performance and design tweaks, which can complicate integration with a universal platform.

CATL’s deep expertise in batteries gives it a strong edge in this field, as energy storage is central to any integrated EV platform. Yet, the company still faces tough competition. Many carmakers are developing their own intelligent chassis to maintain control and support autonomous systems.

Another interesting point we would like to speculate surrounds Perodua’s first EV, which is set to launch later this year. It’s already confirmed that the model will use CATL batteries.

However, what has truly sparked our curiosity is the speed at which the vehicle was developed - especially considering it was a locally led effort, notably without Daihatsu’s direct involvement.

This rapid timeline raises a compelling question: could CATL’s CIIC skateboard chassis be underpinning Perodua’s upcoming EV?