BEIJING, Oct 19 Reuters Electric battery giant CATL saw its China market share tumble to the lowest in more than a year in September, data showed, underscoring the challenges it faces from smaller rivals and weakener demand in the world39;s largest electric vehicle market.

CATL reports quarterly results on Thursday, and investors will be on the look out for the extent the world39;s largest EV battery maker bore the brunt of the EV sales slowdown in China and rising pressure from automakers to cut battery prices.

CATL is facing pressure in the near term, given competition from tier2 battery makers who price their products at a discount to CATL, and weakerthanexpected lithiumion battery demand, Citi analysts said in a note.

This… is an incentive for CATL to offer some price cuts to secure its market share.

CATL39;s market share by battery installations in Chinamade EVs dropped to 39 in September, the lowest since June last year, from 45 three months ago, data from the China Automotive Battery Innovation Alliance CABIA showed, as rivals accelerated supplies.

Secondranked BYD and thirdplaced CALB both boosted their shipments in China by more than 71 in the first nine months of this year, far outpacing CATL39;s 18.8 growth, according to the data.

CATL39;s setback also comes amid weakening EV sales in China that stoked an intense price war among automakers and a subsequent cost reduction pressure on battery firms and other suppliers.

China39;s EV battery installation…