In June 2008, Robert Bosch GmbH and Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. signed an agreement to form a joint venture to develop, manufacture, and sell lithium-ion batteries for automotive applications. All the relevant authorities have now given their approval for the joint venture.
The company with its headquarter in Korea will be known as "SB LiMotive Co. Ltd." The shareholding of Robert Bosch GmbH will be 50 percent and that of Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. 50 percent – both companies will be equally represented on the board of management and on the board of directors. Operations will start in September 2008. The objective is to series-manufacture highly efficient lithium-ion batteries customized to automotive requirements and to market them worldwide from 2011.
Lithium-ion batteries are the basis for forward-looking technologies in the automobile, such as hybrid or electrical drives. In connection with its hybrid project unit, Bosch has already built up comprehensive expertise in areas such as power electronics, battery management, electric motors, transmissions, or DC/DC converters. The main focus of Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. is the further development of lithium-ion batteries, which it already produces for a large number of manufacturers of laptops, mobile phones, and power tools. In 2007 Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. has produced 376 million battery cells. Today, Samsung has an internationally leading position in lithium-ion battery cell technology.
