Part 7/13:
The discussion then turned to the supply chain for critical minerals like copper, nickel, and other materials essential for EV manufacturing. The analyst viewed these sectors as somewhat overhyped but acknowledged their vital importance to the industry. He pointed out that China dominates the EV supply chain, producing around 60% of the world’s EVs and controlling most downstream processing of critical materials. This geopolitical and logistical concentration presents strategic advantages for Chinese EV manufacturers such as NIO, which has recently experienced a brief rally following earnings reports but remains volatile.