General Motors plans to import electric vehicle batteries from Chinese battery giant CATL, according to industry analysts. The move is a temporary measure as GM works to establish its own U.S.-based lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery production by 2027.

GM confirmed the strategy is aimed at staying competitive in the affordable EV segment, noting that other U.S. automakers have similarly relied on foreign suppliers for LFP batteries. Currently, GM sells 12 EV models in the U.S. using domestically produced battery cells.

The decision comes amid rising cost pressures due to a global EV arms race, growing competition from Chinese automakers, and a worsening trade environment that has disrupted supply chains for critical materials.

Rival automaker Ford is also leveraging CATL’s technology to reduce EV battery costs, underlining a broader industry trend of depending on Chinese battery expertise to accelerate cost-efficient EV rollouts.