Samsung SDI join hands with GM to establish EV battery factory in Indiana
The South Korean company, Samsung SDI, announced on Wednesday its partnership with General Motors to develop a combined electric vehicle (EV) battery facility in Indiana, United States, according to a report by Reuters.
The partnership is expected to invest around $3.5 billion to establish a battery cell manufacturing unit with an initial annual production capacity of 27-gigawatt hours, the report stated.
Samsung SDI shares gained up to 3.2% in morning trade, outperforming the benchmark KOSPI, which fell 0.3%.
The Collaboration initially revealed this partnership idea in April 2023, GM and Samsung SDI said the joint venture will cost over $3 billion targeted output capacity is 30 GWh and operations to start in 2026.
The South Korean battery manufacturer said on Wednesday that the combined factory will begin mass production in 2027, with annual capacity possibly increasing to 36 GWh under expansion plans.
Kurt Kelty, GM vice president of battery cell and pack, said he met with Samsung SDI's CEO to finalise the battery joint venture.
Citing Kelty, Reuters reported, "capability to expand up to 36 GWh, building prismatic cells, which will be added to our battery technology portfolio, helping us to continue to increase performance and lower costs in the future."
Last year, GM stated that it intended the Indiana factory to feature production lines for both nickel-rich prismatic and cylindrical cells.
GM decreased its yearly EV production target in June, as the firm switched to relying on demand for its gasoline-powered vehicles.