Archive · 30 Dec 2025
L&F's Tesla Deal Value Drops
A company called L&F in South Korea made a big deal with Tesla to supply special materials for Tesla's batteries.
They thought the deal would be worth a lot of money, but now they say it's only worth a tiny fraction of what they expected.
This is because Tesla isn't making as many of their special 4680 batteries as they planned.
Tesla wanted to use these batteries to make cheaper electric cars, but they've had trouble making them and not as many people are buying electric cars as before.
Other companies making batteries are also having problems because car companies are making fewer electric cars.
L&F said that shipments to other big companies are still going well, but the deal with Tesla had to change because of problems with the Cybertruck and changes in the electric car market.
L&F's stock price went down because of this news.
L&F's supply deal with Tesla for high-nickel cathode materials reduced from $2.9 billion to $7,386.
Deal was for Tesla's 4680 batteries, intended for use in affordable electric vehicles and the Cybertruck.
Tesla's struggles with 4680 battery production and slowed EV demand led to reduced material needs.
Tesla's Cybertruck underperformance and delays contributed to the deal's reduction.
L&F's stock fell 11% in Seoul following the announcement.
- Who
- L&F (South Korean battery material maker) and Tesla (electric vehicle manufacturer)
- What
- Reduction in the value of a battery material supply deal
- When
- Deal signed in 2023, revised value announced in 2024
- Where
- South Korea and Tesla's global operations
- Why
- Slowed EV demand, Tesla's struggles with 4680 battery production, and Cybertruck underperformance
- Company
- L&F
- Original Deal Value
- $2.9 billion
- Revised Deal Value
- $7,386
- Deal Duration
- January 2024 - December 2025
- Materials Supplied
- High-nickel cathode materials
- Tesla Battery Model
- 4680 cells
- Tesla EV Model Using 4680
- Cybertruck
- Analyst Concern
- Production yields and EV demand slowdown
- Stock Impact
- 11% drop in L&F's stock