In Ulsan, Korea, SB LiMotive has officially taken a new factory into operation. It will manufacture lithium-ion battery cells for hybrid and electric vehicles. Production facility covering an area of 34,000 square meters.
At the ceremony marking the opening of the manufacturing facility, Franz Fehrenbach, chairman of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH, said: “In venturing into the development and production of lithium-ion battery cells for hybrid and electric vehicles, we are grasping an opportunity to shape the future of mobility.” The new plant will contribute to the success of vehicle electrification” said Chi H. Choi, CEO of Samsung SDI.
He went on to say, that it was the Ulsan compound where Samsung SDI “pioneered and took the leadership in the world market for consumer cells.” Now he said, "SB LiMotive will also manufacture the world´s top EV batteries, thus becoming the leader in the market.”
Following the groundbreaking ceremony in September 2009, the Ulsan plant was constructed in just nine months. The production facility covers an area of 34,000 square meters. Over the next few years, the plant is projected to create a thousand jobs. Production will start with battery cells for pre-series production projects. Large-scale series production will begin next year. By 2015, SB LiMotive intends to boost its annual cell production capacity to a November 2010 good four gigawatt-hours – enough for some 180,000 electric vehicles.