BMW faced an unfortunate situation that no manufacturer would want. The company has canceled a two billion euro battery deal with Swedish electric vehicle battery supplier Northvolt. When the batteries were scrapped, Samsung came to BMW’s aid. So, why was the deal canceled? Here are the details…
BMW cancels electric vehicle battery deal! Will work with Samsung
Northvolt was supposed to produce battery cells for BMW’s next-generation electric vehicles. However, issues in Northvolt’s production line and excessive waste complicated things. The company fell two years behind due to setbacks in industrial-scale production. BMW could no longer overlook the situation and made a radical decision to cancel the agreement.
So, what did BMW do in this situation? It immediately sought an alternative solution and turned to South Korean supplier Samsung SDI. Samsung SDI will meet BMW’s urgent battery needs. However, for future next-generation battery cells, BMW’s preference still leans toward Northvolt. This means the matter is not entirely over.
BMW, despite the issues faced by Northvolt, remains committed to supporting the development of strong and sustainable battery cell manufacturers in Europe. Northvolt plans to establish a new battery factory in Germany’s Schleswig-Holstein region. This factory, set to begin production in 2026, will produce battery cells for electric vehicles. Furthermore, this project has the backing of significant figures such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Economy Minister Robert Habeck.
BMW’s move highlights the battery supply issues faced in electric vehicle production and the strategic decisions taken to address these issues. However, BMW’s solution-focused approach and collaborations with alternative suppliers demonstrate the brand’s resilience in overcoming these challenges.
In summary, the multi-billion-euro agreement between BMW and Northvolt is on hold for now, but we will see what the future holds. What do you think? Don’t forget to share your thoughts on BMW’s decision in the comments section below.