Samsung, BMW ramp up EV battery business partnership

Samsung Electronics and BMW have strengthened their partnership in the electric vehicle battery business. The chairman of the South Korean electronics firm, Lee Jae Yong, recently met up with the German luxury automaker’s chief executive officer, Oliver Zipse, to discuss their collaboration.

Lee and Zipse held a meeting at BMW’s driving center located in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, last week. This event took place as the Samsung leader has been working on boosting his company’s global network in the mobility industry. Six months ago, the two executives also met up at BMW's headquarters in Germany.

As per The Korea Times, Lee also had the opportunity to view the carmaker’s BMW i7 model, which is the EV edition of the brand’s flagship 7 Series sedan. The electric vehicle is the latest version that is equipped with Samsung SDI's high-performance P5 battery.

It was mentioned that aside from Lee and Zipse, the meeting was also attended by Samsung SDI’s chief, Choi Yoon Ho and BMW’s senior vice president, Jean-Philippe Parain. BMW Group Korea’s president Han Sang Yun was also in attendance.

"I am very pleased to be with BMW. Let us continue to strengthen cooperation between the two companies," Samsung chair, Lee Jae Yong, said during the meeting.

Zipse also commented, "Samsung is one of the most important partners in BMW's electrification, and to us, it is very meaningful that Samsung's management is present with the i7 that incorporates our latest technology."

Samsung and BMW have been collaborating on various projects for 13 years already. Their first partnership was signed in 2009 when they announced a joint EV development project and began working together on EV batteries.

"As a strategic partner of BMW, Samsung SDI is proud to be able to join the development of the new i7 luxury EV sedan," SDI’s chief stated. "We will work together to present new standards for EVs and batteries."

Meanwhile, The Korea Herald reported that before the business meeting was held, Lee and Zipse joined the handover ceremony of 10 new BMW i7s. These were distributed to company affiliate CEOs, and SDI’s Choi Yoon Ho will be using the first i7 unit. Samsung Electronics said that it has not yet decided on the officials who will become owners of the other nine sedans.

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