QuantumScape Corp (NYSE:QS) shares rose 6.6% in premarket trading on Wednesday after the solid-state battery company announced it had entered into a joint development agreement (JDA) with a Top-10 global automotive manufacturer.
QuantumScape, which is focused on advancing solid-state lithium-metal battery technology, said the agreement marks the completion of its final strategic objective for 2025. That objective centered on broadening commercial relationships with automotive customers and key technology partners.
“2025 has been a banner year for QS, and this JDA with a Top-10 automotive OEM customer is a fitting capstone for our successful commercial engagement efforts this year,” said Dr. Siva Sivaram, CEO and president of QS.
The new agreement builds on a series of commercial milestones achieved by QuantumScape over the past year. The company expanded its partnership with PowerCo, the battery subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, and signed JDAs with two other major global automakers. It also entered into a technology evaluation agreement with an additional large automotive manufacturer.
Beyond automaker partnerships, QuantumScape has strengthened its manufacturing strategy by forming agreements with Murata Manufacturing and Corning to support the development of high-volume ceramic separator production.
Looking ahead, the company said it plans to further deepen collaborations with both existing and new automotive OEM customers, technology partners, and other global participants across the battery value chain as it continues to develop what it describes as the “QS ecosystem.”