The agreement was first formed in 2008. According to a press release, “ two parent companies of the SB LiMotive joint venture have agreed to reorganize their collaboration and future business relationship.”
The entire battery systems business will be transferred to Bosch, including all components, such as the crucial battery management system. It will take over the subsidiary SB LiMotive Germany GmbH, and Cobasys, acquired by SB LiMotive in 2009, will be integrated into Bosch. This subsidiary, which is important for the US market, has locations in Orion, Michigan, and Springboro, Ohio.
Bosch plans to step up its activities in the development and production of efficient battery technology and boost lithium-ion capabilities in Germany.
“When it comes to electromobility, a market with great potential for the future, we have already made a successful start with diverse projects, and are driving forward many other developments,” said Dr Bernd Bohr, the chairman of the automotive group of Robert Bosch GmbH. “In restructuring our operations, we can respond better to our customers’ requirements with respect to market focus and speed, and will continue to work all out to expand our market activities.”
Bosch and Samsung have agreed to continue all development and supply agreements, and they will grant each other access to patents.
Bosch plans to step up its activities in the development and production of efficient battery technology and boost lithium-ion capabilities in Germany. It will also expand its activities in electrochemistry and the production of lithium-ion battery cells. The objective is to cooperate with partners from industry and higher education to establish research and development work on high-performance battery cells in Germany and to set up a European specialist network. This will improve its capabilities in batteries for electromobility and also stationary energy storage devices.
The aim is to combine the know-how of German and European suppliers when it comes to materials and the construction of complex manufacturing facilities.
