Volkswagen is recruiting top engineers from Apple and BMW for its battery development.
[Heise] Sensational personal details for the establishment of a battery division announce major changes in Volkswagen’s investment plan for the next five years.For the expansion of its battery business, Volkswagen has poached other executives from the tech and automotive industries, including Apple’s head of battery development, Soonho Ahn. When exactly the South Korean will start at the largest European vehicle manufacturer, however, is not yet clear.
Volkswagen confirmed the top personnel on request. Jörg Hoffmann is to come from the competitor BMW, most recently specializing in solid-state cell technology.
Above all, Ahn’s commitment will cause a stir in both the IT and automotive industries. Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess sees the American and Asian technology giants as the most important competitors in the coming years in the further networking of mobility and autonomous driving.
But the further optimization of battery technology and the construction of our own cell plants are also considered decisive competencies – especially in the race with Tesla. In September, Volkswagen had just hired Sebastian Wolf from the Chinese battery cell manufacturer Farasis.
In the case of Apple, the secretive own car project “Titan” puts the traditional manufacturers under pressure. The Californians are also said to have kept an eye on the South Korean suppliers Kia and Hyundai, which could support them in the further development of an “iCar”. Ahn has also worked in leading roles at Samsung and LG.
Six own battery cell factories in Europe
Volkswagen initially plans to build six of its own battery cell factories in Europe. In addition to Salzgitter, Skellefteå is already set in northern Sweden, a third location in Spain has good chances.
Works councils are also campaigning for another German cell plant. According to industry circles, Saxony and Lower Saxony are also in the race, and locations in Eastern Europe are also being examined. VW cooperates with partners such as Northvolt from Sweden or Gotion from China.
In the currently dominant battery technology, lithium-ion takes over the charge transport between the cell electrodes. However, like other battery raw materials, the alkali metal is often scarce and must first be extracted in a water- and energy-intensive manner. In solid-state batteries, for example, ceramic elements are used between the poles.
Volkswagen recruits top engineers from Apple and BMW for its battery development, November 25, 2021