Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee is scheduled to meet Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chairman Ola Källenius during the latter’s two-day visit to South Korea next week, according to a report by Pulse, the English service of Maeil Business Newspaper. The discussions are expected to focus on potential cooperation in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and automotive semiconductors, reported ANI.
The report said the meeting is being arranged for November 13 in Seoul, with Samsung SDI Co. CEO Choi Joo-sun and Samsung Display Co. CEO Lee Chung also expected to attend. The talks are viewed as a step toward integrating Samsung SDI batteries into Mercedes-Benz’s EV platforms. So far, the German automaker has sourced its batteries mainly from LG Energy Solution Ltd. and SK On Co.
As per the news report, Källenius is also set to meet LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong-myung to discuss expanding supply cooperation and will hold separate sessions with executives from LG Electronics Inc. and LG Innotek Co., the report added.
The potential Samsung–Mercedes partnership comes amid rising competition from Chinese battery manufacturers in the global EV supply chain. Mercedes’s outreach to Samsung SDI signals a strategic move to diversify its supplier base.
“Samsung SDI currently supplies batteries to BMW AG, Audi AG, and Rivian Automotive Inc., and has maintained a long-term partnership with BMW since 2009,” the report noted. “The two companies recently began joint development of all-solid-state battery technology, regarded as the next generation of EV batteries due to its enhanced safety features. Securing Mercedes as a new client would further expand Samsung SDI’s business pipeline.”
Next week’s meeting is expected to strengthen Samsung’s chances of winning additional battery orders from Mercedes. SK On already supplies batteries to Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai Motor Group, Ford Motor Co., and Volkswagen, and is seeking to grow its customer base.
The two companies may also explore deeper collaboration in display technology. In July, Mercedes-Benz selected Samsung Display’s OLED panels for its next-generation Maybach lineup, slated for debut in 2028. The technology could later be extended to higher-volume models. Samsung Display already supplies OLED panels to the BMW Group.
Further cooperation opportunities may also emerge in the semiconductor sector, the report suggested.
