The BMW Group and Samsung SDI plan to expand their supply relationship for battery cells for electro-mobility, or electric-vehicles to you and me.
Samsung SDI will supply the BMW Group with battery cells for the BMW i3, BMW i8 and additional hybrid models over the coming years. The most importantelements of the agreement are the increase in quantities de-livered over the medium term, in response to growing demand for electro-mobility, and further technological development of battery cells.
Sang-Jin Park, CEO of Samsung SDI said "I am very proud that Samsung SDI supports the success of the BMW i3 and i8. The decision taken in 2009 to choose lithium-ion battery cells from Samsung SDI for the BMW i models was the right one for both companies. Additional BMW vehicles will also be equipped with Samsung SDI's leading lithium-ion technology. This MoU with the BMW Group demonstrates the trust in Samsung SDI's future technology and efficient mass production capabilities. Both companies are confi-dent that this extended partnership will secure their leadership in future technologies."
The partnership with Samsung SDI since 2009 provides the BMW Group with access to state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technology. Another important factor in the choice of Samsung SDI was that the company considers the suitability of lithium-ion battery cells for environmentally-friendly production and subsequent recovery of materials during product development.
Complete high-voltage batteries for the BMW i3, BMW i8 and other future hybrid vehicles are built on an ultra-modern assembly line at BMW Plant Dingolfing. The only supplied parts are the cells - otherwise the high-voltage batteries are developed and produced completely in-house, building on experience with earlier batteries developed in-house for models, such as the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and 5 and the BMW ActiveE, with further optimisation.
The extension of the collaboration with Samsung SDI underscores the BMW Group's strategy of further electrification. Continuation of the partnership also confirms the success of BMW i.
Customer demand for the BMW i3 remains high. In addition, in the first half of 2014 the BMW Group has already sold around 5,400 BMW i3 cars.
Deliveries of the BMW i8 got underway in the main international markets in June. Demand is already significantly higher than the planned production volume for the ramp-up phase.
