Porsche has taken over Varta’s battery subsidiary V4Drive, renaming it V4Smart, as the German sports car maker consolidates its position in high-performance battery technology. The acquisition, effective March 4, gives Porsche a majority stake, while Varta AG retains a minority share without operational influence.
Varta launched V4Drive in 2022 to produce specialized cylindrical battery cells designed as “booster cells” for high-power applications rather than primary traction batteries in electric vehicles. The cells, which can quickly absorb and release energy, are used in Porsche’s 911 GTS T-Hybrid system to enhance short-term power output.
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Porsche remained V4Drive’s sole customer, and as Varta faced financial struggles in 2024, speculation grew that the automaker would step in. The investment was first announced in August, followed by the V4Drive acquisition in October. A court ruling in January 2025 cleared the way for Porsche to finalize the takeover.
Production of the cells will continue at Varta’s Ellwangen facility, with a new manufacturing line launching in April at the Nördlingen site. Porsche stated that renaming V4Drive to V4Smart reflects the company’s broader vision, as these high-performance cells have applications beyond the automotive sector.
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“The booster cells enable us to bring motorsport technology to our production cars. As a key component of the T-Hybrid drive system, they ensure exceptional driving performance from our iconic 911 sports car,” said Porsche’s Board Member for Production, Albrecht Reimold. “As we establish V4Smart – with a great deal of momentum and energy – I am looking forward to working with our new team, whose expertise will further strengthen our capacity for innovation.”
By the end of 2025, Porsche plans to expand the workforce at both production sites to approximately 375 employees, absorbing a significant number of former Varta AG staff. V4Smart will be led by Lutz Kramer as Chairman, Andreas Tschürtz as Managing Director of Production, and Monika Steuss as Managing Director of Finance.
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