GM head talks with Samsung, LG execs over EV battery, auto parts cooperation

General Motors CEO Mary Barra met with chiefs of Samsung Group affiliates on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in areas involving EV batteries and auto electric parts, industry sources said.

Kim Dong-myung, CEO of LG Energy Solution and Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors pose for a photo after making their investment plan in building a third battery plant in Lansing, Michigan. [LG ENERGY SOLUTION]

General Motors CEO Mary Barra met with chiefs of Samsung Group affiliates on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in areas involving EV batteries and auto electric parts, industry sources said.

Barra, who is also the chair of the GM board, held meetings with Choi Yoon-ho, head of Samsung SDI, Samsung Display CEO Choi Joo-sun and Samsung Electro-Mechanics CEO Chang Duck-hyun in southern Seoul earlier in the day, according to the sources.

It marked Barra's first official visit to Korea since becoming chairperson of GM's board in 2016.

Barra and the Samsung executives reportedly discussed cooperation in the ongoing construction of a joint venture EV battery factory between Samsung SDI and GM, as well as over displays and vehicle camera modules.

Samsung SDI and GM are currently constructing the EV factory in the U.S. state of Indiana.

The companies aim to start commercial operations of the plant, with an annual capacity of over 30 gigawatts per hour, by 2026. The batteries will be supplied for future GM EVs.

Barra also met with LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan and LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong-myung later in the day to discuss ongoing joint projects in the battery and auto components sectors and ways to boost cooperation, officials said.

LG has long been a supplier of batteries and other auto parts to GM. Their North American joint venture Ultium Cells has a battery production facility operating in Ohio. Their second plant in Tennessee will go into commercial production this year, with the third plant in Michigan on track for mass production after 2025.

BY SARAH CHEA, YONHAP [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]