정의선•구광모, 전기차 배터리 협력 강화 논의...자동차 수출 감소세 속 타개책 모색하나<br /><br />It's for Electric Vehicle partnership.<br />A first-ever one-on-one between Hyundai Motor Group's heir apparent and the head of LG Group as they toured LG Chem's EV battery plant today.<br />The two conglomerates are looking to step up efforts to develop a game changer in future EV batteries.<br />Yoon Jung-min tells us more.<br />Hyundai Motor Group's heir Chung Eui-sun met with LG Group Chairman Koo Gwang-mo on Monday to strengthen their alliance in producing electric vehicles.<br />The Hyundai executive vice chairman visited LG Chem's battery factory in Ochang, Chungcheongbuk-do Province.<br />There, the two businessmen discussed measures to bolster cooperation for electric vehicle production.<br />LG Chem is already a key partner of Hyundai Motor, as it will be supplying batteries for Hyundai's Electric-Global Modular Platform slated for 2022.<br />The partnership comes amid a decline in South Korea's auto exports due to the impact of COVID-19 on global trade.<br />From June 1st to June 20th, car exports plummeted over 36 percent compared to the year before.<br />"This comes amid changes in the auto industry, like a shift to electric cars, hydrogen cars or mobility services. Hyundai needs to closely work with LG Chem and others amid competition with global contenders like Tesla."<br />Hyundai is also working with other leading local battery producers.<br />Last month, Chung met with Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong,... while he was visiting Samsung SDI's battery production line in Cheonan.<br />Sources say the Hyundai heir is also going to meet SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won in the near future.<br />Currently, SK Innovation is one of the major battery producers for Kia Motors.<br />Hyundai and Kia Motors are among the global leaders in the electric vehicle market, selling more than 24-thousand electric cars in the first quarter of this year.<br />Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.<br />
