The automaker will become the biggest shareholder of the lithium miner in a deal that’s expected to speed up production of the key electric-vehicle battery metal in Nevada. (The Logic)

Talking point: General Motors estimates it could be the largest automaker investment yet in raw battery-materials production. It’s a type of deal that has become increasingly popular as automakers try to shore up supply for their EV plants, including GM’s Canadian battery-material plant and electric-van plant. Shares of Lithium Americas, which has recently taken stakes in other Canadian lithium firms and counts China’s Ganfeng Lithium as a previous investor, rose more than 13.5 per cent on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Tuesday. The deal comes as countries from North America to Europe are striking battery supply-chain alliances as alternatives to importing from hubs like China. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne met Monday with Thierry Breton, the EU internal market commissioner, where the pair discussed strategic investments in raw materials and collaborating on EV and batteries, aerospace and commercial space sectors.