DistantNews
🇰🇷 South Korea /Technology

Mercedes-Benz Taps Samsung SDI for Advanced EV Batteries

From Hankyoreh · (2h ago) Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Mercedes-Benz has signed a multi-year contract with Samsung SDI to supply advanced batteries for its next-generation electric vehicles.
  • This partnership expands Mercedes-Benz's collaboration with South Korean battery manufacturers, following a previous agreement with LG Energy Solution.
  • The deal secures a stable supply chain for high-performance batteries, crucial for Mercedes-Benz's electrification strategy, with Samsung SDI's batteries to be featured in upcoming compact electric SUVs and coupe models.

In a significant move for the global automotive and battery industries, Mercedes-Benz has solidified its commitment to electrification by partnering with Samsung SDI. This multi-year agreement ensures a steady supply of advanced, high-nickel NCM batteries for the German automaker's upcoming electric vehicle platforms, particularly for its compact electric SUV and coupe models.

This collaboration underscores the strategic importance of South Korean battery technology in the global transition to electric mobility. Following its earlier deal with LG Energy Solution, Mercedes-Benz's partnership with Samsung SDI highlights a deepening reliance on Korean expertise to power its future fleet. The high-nickel NCM batteries, known for their superior energy density, will enable longer driving ranges, a key factor for consumers embracing electric vehicles.

We aim to lay the foundation for future innovation through strategic cooperation with major Korean suppliers.

— Ola KälleniusMercedes-Benz CEO, emphasizing the importance of partnerships with Korean companies for future innovation.

For Samsung SDI, this contract represents a major win, reinforcing its position as a leading global battery supplier. The company's proprietary safety solutions incorporated into these batteries will be critical for meeting Mercedes-Benz's stringent quality and safety standards. This deal is particularly meaningful as it marks the first time Samsung SDI's batteries will be integrated into Mercedes-Benz vehicles, signaling a new era of cooperation.

As Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius stated, "We aim to lay the foundation for future innovation through strategic cooperation with major Korean suppliers." This sentiment is echoed by Samsung SDI, which views the contract as a crucial step in securing battery orders to lead the global EV market. The partnership is a testament to the technological prowess and manufacturing capabilities of South Korea's battery sector, which continues to be a cornerstone of the automotive industry's transformation.

It is significant in that we have secured battery orders to lead the global electric vehicle market.

— Samsung SDI RepresentativeHighlighting the strategic importance of the contract for Samsung SDI's market position.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog