The companies aim to supply the entire range of processes and components needed for the large-scale manufacture of battery cells and systems. Across the industry, the demand is enormous: in Europe alone, various companies plan to build cell factories with a total annual capacity of around 700 gigawatt hours by 2030.
For both partners, this alliance is a further step toward playing leading roles in electromobility. The partnership will draw on complementary areas of expertise: while Bosch has excellent know-how in factory automation and systems integration, Volkswagen is an accomplished at scale automaker and is on its way to becoming a major battery cell manufacturer.
Rolf Najork, member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH and chairman of the executive board of Bosch Rexroth, said: “Together with Volkswagen, we seek a path to industrialize production processes for battery cells with standardized equipment. We have the best prerequisites for this: Bosch is not only the world's biggest automotive supplier, but also one of the leading suppliers of factory equipment. We understand how battery technology works, and know how to manufacture it.”
Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Components, said: “Our decision to actively engage in the vertical integration of the battery-making value chain will tap considerable new profit pools. Setting out to establish a fully localized European supply chain for e-mobility made in Europe certainly marks a rare opportunity in business history.”
Both partners have formed a project unit with the target to prepare the establishment of the new company until the end of 2022.