Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), the Chinese battery cell manufacturer, has appointed Mathias Hüttenrauch as the CEO of CATL Europe, a newly created position within the company. The move comes as CATL expands its production capabilities in Germany and looks to strengthen its presence in the European market.
Hüttenrauch brings with him over 30 years of experience in Asia and Europe, having previously served as CEO of Nedschroef, a Dutch automotive supplier, and founded his own company focused on investments in new-mobility and digitalisation projects.
In addition to his role as CEO of CATL Europe, Hüttenrauch will also take over as CEO of Contemporary Amperex Technology Thuringia (CATT), which was previously headed by Matthias Zentgraf. Zentgraf will continue to support the company as a consultant.
Rudolf Staudigl has been appointed as the Chairman of CATL’s supervisory board in Europe and Germany.
The creation of the CEO Europe position comes after CATL started series production of battery cells in Germany at its factory in Arnstadt at the end of 2022, with an initial capacity of 8 GWh per year. The company plans to invest up to 1.8 billion euros and reach a production capacity of 14 GWh “in the future,” which is expected to create up to 2,000 new jobs in Germany.
Commenting on his appointment, Hüttenrauch said, “I am thrilled to take on this new challenge at such an important time for the industry. CATL has established itself as a global leader in the battery manufacturing space, and I look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success and growth in Europe.”
CATL’s expansion in Europe is a clear indication of the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the region. With the EU setting ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions, EVs are expected to play a key role in achieving these goals. CATL’s investment in Germany is a significant step towards building a sustainable future for the automotive industry in Europe.
As Hüttenrauch takes on his new role, he will have the opportunity to shape the future of the EV industry in Europe and help drive the adoption of sustainable transportation solutions.
