---
Call Date: 2024-09-03
Moderator: Delphic Expert Network
Participants:
  - Portfolio Manager, BlueCrest Special Situations (PM)
  - Former COO, Volterra Mobility (Expert A)
  - Head of Procurement, Alpine Battery Systems (Expert B)
Sector: EV / Battery Supply Chain (EU)
Duration: 62 minutes

[00:04] PM: What are the September quarter production run-rates versus plan?
[00:06] Expert A: Volterra is tracking 9% below build schedule; magnesium casting throughput is the choke point.
[00:12] Expert B: Our pouch cell plant is at 88% utilization; we are diverting 12% of lines to energy storage contracts.

[00:18] PM: How are German OEM incentives shaping retail demand?
[00:20] Expert A: Berlin scrapped the Umweltbonus early; showroom traffic off 15% m/m. Fleets waiting for chassis refresh before ordering.

[00:29] PM: Any component shortages we should watch?
[00:30] Expert B: Separator film is tight again. Pricing up 6% QoQ. We're testing a Korean supplier but qualification needs 90 days.

[00:41] PM: Update on Chinese imports and pricing? 
[00:43] Expert A: Tariff chatter already depressing pricing—Changan quoting 12% below Q2 on mid-size SUVs to move units before policy shift.

[00:54] PM: How are you planning for 2025 allocations?
[00:55] Expert B: Prioritizing stationary storage customers; they accept floating indexes. Auto OEMs want fixed price, so we are pushing surcharge clauses.
