GM+LG=EV
LG Electronics announced on Oct. 21 that the company was selected as a partner of GM for the development of GM’s Volt EV. This means that GM chose not an auto parts company but an IT company for the development of an electric car.
GM needed an innovative partnership for the commercialization of a reasonably priced electric car that can run longer. So the automobile giant selected LG as a partner in the battery system and infotainment sectors based on GM’s capabilities in electric motor design, battery control technology, and automotive system verification.
In Jan., LG Electronics took the wrap off the Chevrolet Volt EV Concept Car at the Detroit Auto Show via joint planning and research with GM. Once fully charged, the Volt can run more than 320 kilometers. GM is planning to mass produce the Chevrolet Volt EV at the Orion Factory in Michigan beginning at the end of 2016.
LG Electronics is planning to supply core parts and 11 kinds of systems to the Chevrolet Volt EV. They include drive motors, inverters, chargers, electric compressors, battery packs, power distribution modules, battery heaters, DC-DC converters, rapidly-charging communication modules, dashboards, and infotainment systems.
“GM needs drastic innovation to reinforce its leadership in the electric vehicle sector,” said Mark Lois, vice president of GM in charge of global product development and purchases. “We will commercialize electric cars with reasonable prices based on our accumulated technologies from developing the Chevrolet Volt and Spark EV and LG’s experience.”
“GM’s selection of LG Electronics as a partner for the development of electric vehicles will enable LG Electronics, an IT company, to contribute to the electric vehicle market,” an LG Electronics executive said.
Since 2007, LG Electronics and GM have been enjoying a strong partnership. The electronics giant jointly developed a telecommunication module for the 4G LTE “OnStar” Telematics System with GM, and is exclusively supplying them to GM.