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지나쌤

BMW-삼성SDI, 전기차배터리 협력 강화

By 이지윤

Published : July 14, 2014 - 18:48

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BMW그룹이 삼성SDI와 전기자동차용 배터리의 공급 확대와 향후 공동 개발을 주요 내용으로 하는 업무협약(MOU)을 14일 체결했다. 삼성SDI는 현재 BMW의 i3 전기차와 i8 하이브리드 스포츠카에 독점으로 리튬이온 배터리를 공급하고 있다.

이날 인천 영종도에서 열린 BMW드라이빙센터 준공식에 참석한 이안로버슨 BMW그룹 세일즈 마케팅 총괄 사장은 “삼성과의 파트너쉽에 만족하고 있고 추가 협력방안을 논의 중”이라며 방한 기간 중 구체적인 내용을 추가 발표할 예정이라고 밝혔다.

특히 드라이빙센터 내에 이달 말 BMW 연구개발센터가 설립될 예정이라 향후 두 회사 간의 배터리 공동 개발에 대한 기대감이 더욱 높아지고 있는 상황이다.

독일과 미국에 이어 아시아에는 최초로 설립되는 BMW드라이빙센터는 레이싱트랙, 브랜드박물관, 기타 편의 시설 등으로 구성돼있다.

백미는 2.6킬로미터에 이르는 레이싱트랙으로 BMW, Mini, 모토라드 등 모든 브랜드의 차량 56대를 직접 경험해볼 수 있다.

로버슨 사장은 중국이나 일본 등 다른 주요 아시아시장이 아닌 한국을 선택한 이유에 대해 “추가 성장 여력을 감안한 전략적 선택”이었다며 향후 한국 판매에 대한 기대감을 숨기지 않았다.

실제로 한국은 BMW의 9번째로 큰 시장으로 7시리즈의 판매량은 4위 수준이다. 지난 7년간 매년 두자릿수의 성장을 기록한 BMW코리아는 올해 목표판매량을 역대 최대치인 4만대로 정했다.

BMW는 드라이빙 센터의 건설과 운영을 위해 약 770억원을 2020년까지 투자할 예정이다. 일반 관람은 8월부터 가능하고 입장은 무료이다. BMW코리아 측은 2016년에는 연간 방문객이 20만명에 이를 것으로 예측했다.
(코리아헤럴드 이지윤기자/jylee@heraldcorp.com)

The bird-eye view of the 2.6-kilometer racing track The bird-eye view of the 2.6-kilometer racing track




<관련 영문기사>



BMW unveils its first driving center in Asia



YEONGJONGDO, Incheon -- BMW Group on Monday unveiled its first driving center in Asia here, which the German luxury carmaker said shows its latest commitment to Korea, the ninth-largest market globally.

The new facility, located in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, some 40 kilometers west of Seoul, is the third driving center after those in Germany and the United States -- the two countries where BMW produces vehicles.

According to BMW Korea, the carmaker plans to invest a combined 77 billion won ($75 million), including construction costs, into the Korean center by 2020. The official opening to the public is scheduled for August, the Korean unit said.

“It was a strategic decision for us to see further growth in Korea,” Ian Roberson, BMW Group’s sales and marketing chief, said of the reason the carmaker chose Korea to locate its new driving center over other key Asian markets such as China and Japan.

Korea is the fourth-largest market for the 7 Series limousine and the fifth for the 5 Series midsize sedan. Largely driven by the high-end models, BMW’s Korean sales have posted double-digit growth over the past seven years, the executive said.

This year, the best-selling foreign-brand in Korea aims to sell some 40,000 vehicles, another record figure, he added.

The new Korean center will offer existing and potential customers an opportunity to test-drive the carmaker’s 56 BMW, Mini and Motorrad models on a 2.6-kilometer race track.

A brand museum, consisting of brand galleries and other refreshment facilities, will also mimick the famous BMW Welt, a giant delivery center and a public gallery at the Munich headquarters that attracts more than 30 million visitors every year.

BMW’s new regional research and development center -- the fifth globally outside Germany -- is also expected to be located within the site this month, the Korean unit said.

On Monday, BMW and Samsung SDI, the sole battery supplier to the carmaker’s i Series electric cars, the i3 and i8, signed a memorandum of understanding to expand their supply deals and partnership in the automotive battery field.

“We are very happy with the relationship with Samsung and the relationship is still developing,” he said, hinting that a new announcement, including details of the enhanced partnership with Samsung, would be made public during his stay this week.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)

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