General Motors Co.’s Chair and CEO, Mary Barra, held discussions with chiefs of Samsung Group affiliates in Seoul on Wednesday, focusing on potential collaboration in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and auto electric parts, according to industry sources.
Barra’s visit to South Korea, her first official one since assuming the role of GM’s board chair in 2016, involved meetings with Choi Yoon-ho, head of Samsung SDI Co., Samsung Display Co. CEO Choi Joo-sun, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. CEO Chang Duck-hyun.
The discussions reportedly revolved around ongoing cooperation in the joint venture EV battery factory being constructed by Samsung SDI and GM in Indiana, USA, as well as potential collaborations on displays and vehicle camera modules.
The joint venture aims to commence commercial operations of the factory, with an annual capacity exceeding 30 gigawatt-hours, by 2026, with the produced batteries intended for future GM EVs.
Barra’s agenda also includes a meeting with executives of LG Energy Solutions Ltd., as GM and LG Energy Solutions are jointly establishing another EV battery plant in Michigan.
The discussions signify the ongoing efforts of major players in the automotive and electronics industries to advance EV technology through collaborative ventures.
