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Bosch and Samsung’s Lithium-Ion Battery Joint Venture: From Launch to Dissolution

Bosch and Samsung SDI launched SB LiMotive in 2008 to develop automotive lithium-ion batteries. The venture ended in 2012, with Bosch taking over battery systems and Samsung SDI remaining a cell supplier.
Entry295 Date Time2 min MechanicCarCody Team
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SB LiMotive, a 50:50 venture between Bosch and Samsung SDI, began operations in 2008 to develop and supply lithium-ion batteries for automakers. It was dissolved in 2012: Bosch took over the battery-systems business, while Samsung SDI continued as a cell supplier.

What was SB LiMotive?

SB LiMotive Co. Ltd. was an industrial partnership aimed at automotive manufacturers and vehicle programs, not a retail battery brand. Bosch and Samsung SDI combined their expertise to develop, manufacture, and sell lithium-ion batteries for automotive applications. The venture began operating on September 1, 2008, according to the partners’ launch announcement that year.

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How the partners divided the work

The arrangement brought together battery-cell development and production with the engineering needed to make battery systems work in vehicles. At launch, Samsung SDI executive Youngwoo Park was named to oversee finance, production, sales, and purchasing. Bosch executive Dr. Joachim Fetzer was named to oversee engineering and quality.

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Where it planned to operate

The partners planned headquarters in Suwon, South Korea, with cell development and initial cell production in Korea. A subsidiary in Stuttgart, Germany, was planned for sales, marketing, and system engineering. These were announced plans; the launch materials do not establish that every planned facility or function was subsequently realized as described.

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What did Bosch and Samsung SDI plan to build?

The 2008 announcement set out a multi-year investment and production ambition. Its targets should be read as plans made at launch, not as proof that the stated production milestone was met.

Launch-era plan What the partners announced
Investment Bosch and Samsung SDI said they would invest $300 million to $400 million over five years, according to their 2008 announcement.
Series manufacturing They planned to begin series manufacturing in 2011 of lithium-ion battery systems customized to automotive requirements, with worldwide marketing.
Market expectation In 2008, Bosch projected that more than 3 percent of the 91 million new passenger cars and light trucks it expected worldwide in 2015 would be hybrid or electric vehicles. This was a forecast made at the time, not a current market statistic or a reported 2015 outcome.

The launch reflected a push to adapt lithium-ion technology to automakers’ requirements. Wolf-Henning Scheider, then president of Bosch’s Gasoline Systems division, called SB LiMotive “the first and only automotive supplier with a joint venture to develop lithium-ion batteries for the complex requirements of the automobile.” That was Bosch’s characterization of the venture at its 2008 launch.

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When did the partnership end, and what replaced it?

Bosch’s December 13, 2012, release said authorities had approved the dissolution of SB LiMotive. Bosch’s 2012 annual report likewise records that the joint venture was dissolved in fall 2012 and that the battery-systems business transferred to Bosch.

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Bosch retained battery-system activities

The former SB LiMotive Germany and Cobasys units were integrated as Robert Bosch Battery Systems, a wholly owned Bosch subsidiary. Bosch took over existing battery-system projects and focused on complete systems, battery-management electronics, and vehicle integration. The change was significant: Bosch kept the system-level work rather than continuing the 50:50 venture.

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  • COMPATIBLE: The Bosch GBA12V60 operates with all Bosch 12V max Lithium-Ion power tools and chargers

Samsung SDI remained a cell supplier

After the dissolution, Samsung SDI was designated as a cell supplier to Bosch. Bosch also said it could source cells from other manufacturers, so the arrangement did not make Samsung SDI the exclusive cell source.

Quick Recap

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Bosch GBA37V30 3.7V Lithium-Ion 3.0 Ah Battery
Bosch GBA37V30 3.7V Lithium-Ion 3.0 Ah Battery
USB-C charging for fast and flexible charging; Continuous charging allows the laser to be used while powering up
$57.99
Bestseller No. 2
BOSCH BAT612 18V Lithium-Ion 2 Ah Standard Power Battery
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Compatible with all Bosch 18-Volt Lithium-Ion tools and chargers; Integrated Digital Fuel Gauge: LED Indicator for battery stage of charge
$59.00
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BOSCH BAT414-2PK 12V Max Lithium Ion 2 Ah Battery 2-Pack
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COLD WEATHER OPERATION: works in temperatures down to -4° F; SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY: operates with Bosch 12V Max cordless power tools and chargers
$68.98
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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