L&F’s $2.9B Tesla Cybertruck Battery Deal Shrinks to $7K Amid Delays

• Tesla Cybertruck delays and poor sales killed the high-nickel cathode order.

• L&F shares fell over 70% from 2023 peak amid EV market slump.

• Chairman’s fortune dropped from $800 million to $134 million on Bloomberg index.

L&F Tesla battery deal collapses from $2.9B to $7k: Cybertruck delays crush EV supplier. Shares plunge 70%, chairman loses $660M. Explore impacts on battery sector. Stay informed on EV supply chain shifts.

What Happened to L&F’s $2.9 Billion Tesla Battery Deal?

L&F Co.’s $2.9 billion Tesla battery deal for Cybertruck high-nickel cathodes officially downgraded to $7,386 this week. Production delays and insufficient demand halted deliveries, turning a landmark contract into negligible value. The collapse reflects broader EV market challenges, severely impacting L&F’s valuation and leadership wealth.

Why Did Tesla Cybertruck Delays Derail the L&F Contract?

Tesla’s Cybertruck faced repeated production setbacks since its debut, limiting output and curbing buyer interest. L&F, a specialist in high-nickel cathodes essential for EV batteries, relied on this order for direct supply. With minimal Cybertruck rollout, deliveries never materialized, reducing the contract value by 99%.

L&F confirmed the downgrade in recent filings, aligning with a 70% share price drop from 2023 highs when the deal was announced. According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, CEO Hur Jae-hong’s listed holdings plummeted from $800 million to $134 million. Investor sentiment eroded earlier due to heavy dependence on LG Energy Solution Ltd., which comprises 80% of sales.

Analyst Changmin Lee from KB Securities notes supplies likely ceased last year. “L&F had probably already stopped supplying cathodes to Tesla since last year,” Lee stated. The materials targeted specific Cybertruck variants, and stalling production nullified the agreement. Lee expects limited further market reaction, as the loss was already anticipated in forecasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Caused the Collapse of L&F’s Tesla Battery Supply Agreement?

Tesla Cybertruck manufacturing delays and subdued customer demand led to the contract’s termination. Initially valued at $2.9 billion for high-nickel cathodes, it dropped to $7,386 as orders evaporated. L&F’s filings confirm the shift, amid global EV slowdowns affecting supply chains.

How Will L&F Recover from the Tesla Deal Loss?

L&F maintains indirect Tesla exposure via LG Energy Solution for Model Y batteries, sustaining 80% of sales. Upcoming Rivian production in 2026, SK On supplies for Hyundai EVs, and Redwood Materials partnership aid diversification. Analyst Anna Lee from Yuanta Securities Korea highlights potential 2026 rebound via AI data center energy storage.

Key Takeaways

• Cybertruck Woes Exposed Risks: Tesla delays highlighted supplier vulnerabilities in EV battery deals.
• Share Impact Substantial: L&F stock down 70% since 2023, reflecting order loss and EV demand dip.
• Diversification Key Forward: Bolster partnerships like Rivian and SK On to reduce LG reliance below 50% by 2025.

Conclusion

The dramatic fall of L&F Tesla battery deal from billions to mere thousands underscores EV sector volatility and production hurdles. While chairman Hur Jae-hong faces a $660 million personal hit per Bloomberg Billionaires Index, ongoing ties with LG Energy Solution and emerging Rivian supplies offer recovery paths. Analysts like Changmin Lee and Anna Lee foresee short-term pressures but long-term uplift from energy storage demands. Monitor battery supply chain developments for investment cues.

L&F’s Broader Business Challenges and Opportunities

Beyond the headline-grabbing Tesla setback, L&F navigates a complex landscape. The company’s cathode production focuses on high-nickel materials prized for energy density in premium EVs. However, reliance on LG Energy Solution—accounting for the bulk of revenue—prompted diversification bids like the 2021 Redwood Materials pact with JB Straubel’s recycling firm.

That alliance aimed to halve LG dependency by 2025 through U.S. market entry. Cybertruck fallout strains this timeline, yet recent wins persist. A March agreement positions L&F for Rivian cathode deliveries starting 2026, targeting next-gen vehicles. Mid-nickel cathodes already flow to SK On for Hyundai powertrains, broadening the customer base.

EV demand softening worldwide compounds issues. Tesla’s angular Cybertruck garnered buzz but struggled with scaling, mirroring industry delays at Ford and others. L&F shares mirrored this trend, eroding post-2023 peaks amid battery price wars and raw material flux.

Analyst Perspectives on L&F’s EV Battery Future

Experts temper gloom with pragmatism. Changmin Lee emphasizes the Tesla contract’s niche role: limited to certain Cybertruck batteries, its evaporation minimally alters operations. “The recent filing will likely be extremely limited in terms of market impact,” Lee observed, citing pre-discounted forecasts.

Anna Lee projects resilience. “A short-term damper in investor sentiment is inevitable,” she noted, but pivots to positives: “There is an increasing possibility that the sector will regain attention in 2026, specifically centering on energy storage systems for AI data centers.” This forward view taps surging data center power needs, where high-nickel tech could shine.

L&F’s filings reveal no full Tesla severance. Indirect Model Y contributions via LG persist uninterrupted, stabilizing near-term cash flows. Still, the $2.9 billion evaporation dents prestige, challenging the firm’s aggressive growth narrative.

Implications for the EV Battery Supply Chain

The episode spotlights supply chain fragility. High-nickel cathodes demand precision; delays upstream ripple downstream. L&F, as a South Korean leader, exemplifies mid-tier suppliers squeezed between giants like LG and CATL. Global EV sales growth slowed to single digits in 2024, per industry trackers, pressuring margins.

For investors, L&F represents high-beta EV exposure: upside in booms, steep falls in busts. Chairman Hur’s fortune swing—from billionaire aspirations to stark losses—mirrors founder stakes in volatile sectors. Bloomberg Billionaires Index tracks this precisely, underscoring personal capital at risk.

Strategic shifts matter. Accelerating Rivian and SK On ramps, plus Redwood synergies, could restore momentum. AI-driven energy storage emerges as wildcard growth, demanding stable, high-performance batteries. L&F’s tech stack positions it well, if execution follows.

In summary, while the L&F Tesla battery deal collapse marks a painful chapter, diversified pipelines and analyst optimism signal endurance. EV stakeholders should watch 2026 milestones amid evolving demand drivers.