Samsung SDI on Monday denied a news report that the Korean battery maker was in talks with U.S. luxury electric carmaker Tesla Motors to expand their partnership in batteries.
According to the report, Samsung SDI is expected to make up 8 percent of Tesla battery demand this year, worth 36 billion won ($33 million). The company expects to elevate the portion to 40 percent by 2016, it said.
But Samsung SDI flatly denied the report via its official blog, saying nothing has been decided on the deal with Tesla. “Even when a deal is inked with our clients, including Tesla, we do not reveal the specifications without their approval,” the company stated.
Speculation has been mounting that a deal is imminent between Samsung SDI and Tesla as they have continued supply talks for years. Currently, Japan’s Panasonic is the sole cell supplier to Tesla’s all-electric sedans.
Samsung SDI has expanded its presence in the nascent EV market, extending ties with global carmakers like BMW and Audi.
By Lee Ji-yoon
(
jylee@heraldcorp.com)
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