[DigitalToday reporter Dae-geon Seok] Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group are building a companywide cooperation partnership. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun decided to move the groups’ relationship toward a “one team” aimed at securing future mobility, following cooperation on electric vehicle batteries. The two groups are looking for ways to expand cooperation that began with vehicle parts into future industries such as robots and energy.

Samsung said on Nov. 9 it invited key Hyundai Motor Group executives to hold “HMG Appreciation Day” at Samsung Electronics’ Seocheon training institute. It was the first time Samsung has held a large-scale invitation event for Hyundai Motor Group among major domestic conglomerates. A total of 177 people attended, including executives, officers and spouses. Under the theme “One Harmony toward the future,” Samsung said it arranged the event to explore new possibilities in future industries together based on long-standing trust.

Most executives in charge of future mobility businesses at the two groups attended. Samsung attendees included Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Young-hyun Jun, who hosted the event, Tae-moon Roh, president and head of the DX division, Yong-in Park, president and head of the System LSI business, Jin-man Han, president and head of the foundry business, Won-joon Choi, president and COO of the MX business, Samsung SDI President Joo-sun Choi, Samsung Display President Chung Lee, Samsung Electro-Mechanics President Deok-hyeon Jang, and Samsung Harman President Christian Sobotka.

Hyundai Motor Group attendees included Vice Chairman Jae-hoon Jang, Kang-hyun Seo, president in charge of planning and coordination, Manfred Harrer, president and head of Hyundai Motor-Kia R&D, Min-woo Park, president and head of the AVP division, Jun-cheol Jung, president and head of manufacturing, Kyu-bok Lee, president of Hyundai Glovis, and Bo-ryong Lee, president of Hyundai Steel.

In a welcoming speech, Jun described the two groups as “reliable partners that have together written the history of South Korea’s industry.” The event also opened with a video showing the localisation process for automobiles and semiconductors and exchanges between the groups’ top executives.

The relationship between the two groups has continued since the founding generation. Samsung said Samsung founder Byung-chul Lee attended founder Ju-young Chung’s 70th birthday celebration in November 1985 despite undergoing medical treatment, and presented a white porcelain piece as a gift. Samsung’s late chairman Kun-hee Lee invited then Hyundai-Kia chairman Mong-koo Chung to Seungjiwon, Samsung’s guest house, for a private meeting in March 2001, and cooperation between the two groups began afterward.

Cooperation between the two companies took concrete shape with EV batteries. Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Chairman Chung Eui-sun met twice in May 2020 at Samsung SDI’s Cheonan site and in July that year at Hyundai Motor-Kia’s Namyang R&D Center. They discussed cooperation on next-generation EV batteries and possible cooperation in future mobility. After the meetings, Samsung SDI and Hyundai Motor signed their first EV battery supply contract in 2023, delivering results from the cooperation. Samsung said the two chairmen are elevating cooperation that had proceeded by business and affiliate into a strategic partnership.

In a return speech, Vice Chairman Jang said, “Beyond cooperation in automotive parts such as vehicle electronics, audio and batteries, we are expanding the possibilities for cooperation in future industries such as robots and energy.” He added, “When the strengths each group has built over three generations come together, it can create greater synergy, so I hope we respect each other’s strengths, join forces, and take on future challenges together.”

Samsung also introduced automotive parts from each affiliate in an exhibition space set up at the venue. Samsung Electronics’ DS division showcased automotive semiconductors, while Samsung SDI displayed all-solid-state batteries and battery cell and pack modules. Samsung Electro-Mechanics exhibited camera modules and automotive multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) needed to enable autonomous driving. Samsung Display and Samsung Harman introduced next-generation displays, an integrated control unit (CCU) and a telematics control unit (TCU) aimed at the shift to SDVs.

Samsung said the combination of the two groups’ technologies and business capabilities could also create synergy in the physical AI field. Samsung cited physical AI as a field that combines AI and robotics to drive innovation in industrial sites and daily life.

Jun said, “I hope the innovative vision of Hyundai Motor Group, which leads future mobility, and the technological capabilities of the Samsung Group, spanning from parts to finished products, will come together to open new value and limitless possibilities.”