20 hours Ago By [email protected](KoreaTimes)
Stephan Winkelmann, chair of Automobili Lamborghini, introduces the Temerario plug-in hybrid vehicle equipped with LG Energy Solution's batteries during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap Lamborghini, Ferrari choose to partner with LG, SK, Samsung By Park Jae-hyuk The world's most popular supercar brands are still opting for products made by Korea's top three electric vehicle battery manufacturers, despite the increasing shares of Chinese EV battery maker CATL and other peers in the global market. Earlier this month, Automobili Lamborghini Chair and CEO Stephan Winkelmann told Korean press in Seoul that the Italian luxury car manufacturer's Temerario plug-in hybrid vehicle uses LG Energy Solution batteries due to its higher output.
This is the first time Lamborghini has chosen LGES as its partner. "The nationality of the supplier is not our concern," he said on Thursday, after the celebration of the sports car's release in the Korean market. "We have a clear process on how to choose them, and then it's always a matter of us being the best match.
" Lamborghini's latest decision came amid the growing use of Chinese EV batteries in both China and the global market. Read More Battery firms emphasize preparedness for US, China threats Ferrari's electrification boosts prospects for SK On According to energy market tracker SNE Research, Chinese battery makers showed year-on-year growth in the non-China global market in January. In contrast, LGES and Samsung SDI saw a decline in their respective market shares, although SK On's market share increased slightly.
China's CATL raised its market share to 28.5 percent from 25.6 percent, remaining the world's leading EV battery supplier.
Last year, the company surprised car market insiders, as Porsche used its batteries in the Macan Electric, despite the German carmaker's use of LGES products for its Taycan model. Lamborghini, however, showed its trust in Korean battery makers once again. The carmaker's Urus plug-in hybrid is also equipped with Samsung SDI batteries.
During an online interview with Korean press last July, Winkelmann emphasized that the car will continue using the Korean firm's products. Given that Lamborghini is committed to the electrification of its supercars, industry officials expect the company to strengthen partnerships with Korean battery makers. Ferrari's SF90 Spider equipped with SK On's batteries is on display at the Korean company's exhibition booth for InterBattery 2022 at COEX in Seoul in this March 2022 photo.
Courtesy of SK On Last month, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna reportedly met with SK On CEO Lee Seok-hee at the Korean firm's headquarters in Seoul, following the Italian company's confirmation of its plan to introduce its first fully electric car in October. Their meeting came about a year after they signed a memorandum of understanding that outlined their plans to expand technological collaboration. Industry officials expect SK On to deliver batteries that can uphold Ferrari's reputation for producing high-performance and luxury cars, as the Korean firm has supplied cells for the carmaker's hybrid models since 2019.
"It is true that lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries supplied mainly by Chinese companies are less expensive than ternary batteries supplied mainly by Korean firms," a battery industry official said. "However, LFP batteries are not suitable for high-performance vehicles, as they are heavier and show lower energy densities.".
