Webasto and Samsung SDI planning cooperation in the manufacture of commercial vehicle batteries

Webasto, global systems partner to almost all automotive manufacturers, and Samsung SDI headquartered in South Korea came to an agreement about future cooperation on March 9, 2018. The letter of intent was signed by representatives from both companies at the Webasto headquarters in Stockdorf and envisages collaboration in the manufacture of high voltage batteries for the commercial vehicle sector.


The agreement covers the development and supply of a Samsung SDI's battery module that is the optimized solution for Webasto's standard multi-pack concept for commercial vehicles. Built with its superior prismatic lithium-ion battery cells, Samsung SDI's battery module ensures the highest performance in terms of the energy density and space utilization. Webasto will integrate this module into its battery packs which can, in turn, be assembled to create a battery system. This system-based design facilitates custom solutions for the respective requirements of commercial vehicle manufacturers.


“We are very pleased to be driving the development of high quality design-to-cost battery systems together with such a successful and qualified partner as Samsung SDI,” explains Hartung Wilstermann, Executive Vice President of the E-Solutions & Services business unit of the Webasto Group. “For us, the cooperation with Samsung SDI is a significant step towards achieving our aim of becoming one of the leading global systems partners in the field of battery manufacture. There are three aspects that are important in the battery business and we have already mastered these. In addition to thermo management these are the integration of large components into vehicles at the manufacturer’s facility and, in addition, our many years of industrialization expertise. In future, this will allow us to provide OEMs with optimum support in the battery sector.”


The development of battery systems is one of several strategic expansions of the Webasto product portfolio. The company’s commitment to electro-mobility is embedded in a double strategy which is based on the two pillars of “strengthening” and “participating”. This includes the rigorous strengthening of the core business areas and also the opening up of new fields of business that match the competence profile of the company. In addition to the development of battery systems, this also includes a product portfolio of charging solutions for private and commercial customers.

 

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