Hyundai Motor Group’s flagship electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Genesis GV90, will be equipped with Samsung SDI (006400.KS) batteries and is set to launch in the third quarter. With Samsung supplying core components for Hyundai’s highest-specification model, collaboration between the two major conglomerates is expanding beyond batteries into semiconductors, robotics, and software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
According to the automotive industry on the 13th, Hyundai Motor will unveil the GV90 equipped with Samsung SDI batteries in the third quarter. The GV90 is a flagship model being developed with all of Hyundai Motor’s electrification technology accumulated over more than two decades, with an expected launch price in the mid-100 million won range (approximately $70,000–$105,000). In electric vehicles, batteries are components comparable to engines in internal combustion vehicles, accounting for 30–40% of total cost.
Hyundai Motor and Kia have primarily partnered with LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) and SK On among South Korea’s three major battery makers. Their first supply contract with Samsung SDI was signed in 2023. However, the scope of application is expanding rapidly. Following the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and Kia EV2—volume models designed to counter Chinese EV competition in the European market this year—Samsung SDI batteries have now been adopted for the top-tier GV90.
Hyundai Motor and Kia, which have historically preferred pouch-type batteries, are known to have highly evaluated the energy density and safety of prismatic batteries produced by Samsung SDI. Samsung SDI boosted output using high-nickel NCA (nickel-cobalt-aluminum) cathode materials with over 91% nickel content, and resolved expansion issues with anode materials incorporating nano-silicon composites. The company explained that it achieved both high capacity and extended lifespan by applying a stack structure that layers cathodes, anodes, and separators in sequence.
Samsung SDI signed a contract to supply batteries from its Hungary plant to Europe-bound Hyundai and Kia electric vehicles over a seven-year period from 2026 to 2032. The results of that agreement are the Ioniq 3 and Kia EV2, which begin local sales this year, with the GV90 as the third joint product.
Expanding Beyond Batteries into Robotics, Semiconductors, and SDVs
Collaboration between the two groups is expanding comprehensively beyond batteries. The most active area is robotics. Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Samsung SDI signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last year to jointly develop high-performance batteries specifically for robots, going beyond EV batteries. Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics Lab will handle robot application evaluation and performance enhancement of newly developed batteries, while Samsung SDI will be responsible for developing high-capacity materials.
There is speculation that Samsung SDI batteries could also be used in the “Atlas” humanoid robot that Hyundai Motor Group’s robotics subsidiary Boston Dynamics is preparing for mass production. Samsung SDI is developing solid-state batteries for robot applications with a target of mass production in the second half of 2027. Hyundai Motor Group has announced plans to build a humanoid production facility with an annual capacity of 30,000 units by 2028. Samsung SDI batteries have already been installed in Hyundai Motor’s delivery robot “DAL-e” and the robot platform “MobED.”
In the robotics sector, a multi-legged counter-terrorism robot jointly developed by Rainbow Robotics (277810.KQ) and Hyundai Rotem (064350.KS) is also noteworthy. Rainbow Robotics is responsible for the robot dog platform, while Hyundai Rotem handles weapons system integration and modification. The two companies are reportedly set to supply up to 1,000 units of this robot to the South Korean Army in the second half of this year. Samsung Electro-Mechanics (009150.KS) is aiming to supply camera modules that will serve as the “eyes” of Atlas, and has announced plans for initial mass production of high-resolution, high-megapixel sensing modules for humanoids in the third quarter.
Cooperation is also expanding in semiconductors and automotive electronics. Hyundai Motor and Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) formed a supply partnership in 2023 for the “Exynos Auto V920” infotainment semiconductor. The Exynos Auto V920 features a high-performance graphics processing unit (GPU) and low-power memory, enabling simultaneous control of six displays and twelve camera sensors while supporting driver monitoring functions.
Samsung Electronics’ foundry division reportedly secured an order in October last year to produce an 8-nanometer (nm) autonomous driving chip being developed in-house by Hyundai Motor. Hyundai Motor aims to complete chip development by 2028 with mass production targeted for 2030. The two companies are also reportedly collaborating on next-generation automotive semiconductors such as embedded magnetoresistive RAM (eMRAM). Samsung Display resumed supply cooperation with Hyundai Motor in 2021 after a ten-year hiatus by delivering automotive organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) for the Ioniq 5, and has since been steadily supplying OLEDs for new models including Genesis vehicles.
The collaboration between the two groups extends to SDVs as well. In March this year, Hyundai Motor partnered with Samsung Electronics to launch the “Car-to-Home” service. This service integrates the vehicle’s infotainment system with Samsung Electronics’ Internet of Things (IoT) platform “SmartThings,” allowing drivers to remotely control home appliances while driving. This follows the launch of the “Home-to-Car” service in September last year, which enables remote vehicle control via mobile devices.
A “Survival Alliance” Amid U.S.-China Hegemonic Competition
The accelerating cooperation between Hyundai Motor Group and Samsung Group—South Korea’s leading conglomerates and long-time rivals—is being interpreted as a “survival alliance” to respond to global crises. Analysts suggest that with the fate of each group hinging on how they navigate the uncertainties of U.S.-China hegemonic competition and supply chain restructuring, they are moving in a direction that prioritizes pragmatism.
From the era of Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chul and Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung (first generation) through Samsung Group late Chairman Lee Kun-hee and Hyundai Motor Group Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo (second generation), Samsung and Hyundai were fierce competitors vying for the top position in South Korea’s business rankings. However, under the third generation—Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun—the relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership as competition with global companies has intensified beyond domestic borders. The long-standing personal rapport and trust between the two leaders is also reported to have played a role.
While the two groups’ business areas have not significantly overlapped in the past, their convergence is rapidly increasing as both have identified physical artificial intelligence (AI) as a new growth engine. The GV90 battery supply is seen as highly symbolic in that this collaborative relationship has now extended to the top-tier flagship model.