When the G12 generation BMW 7 Series was launched in 2016, many remarked that on the back of the car’s Touch Command Tablet, the Samsung logo is clearly seen. Clearly, it was an intentional product placement agreement. Back then, Samsung wasn’t seen as a brand that is on par with BMW (or Apple).
Actually, Samsung’s partnership with BMW started many years earlier, in 2009. The first commercially ready product of their partnership was the 2013 BMW i3. The carbon fibre chassis electric hatchback was powered by Samsung SDI’s high voltage batteries, which was also used in the BMW i8.
Today, the latest generation BMW i7 uses Samsung’s Generation 5 batteries.
Last month, BMW’s Chairman of the board of management Oliver Zipse met with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-Yong at the BMW Driving Center in Yeongjong Island, Incheon to discuss the future of their partnership.
The meeting also saw BMW delivering 10 units of BMW i7 purchased by Samsung. The vehicles will be added to Samsung’s corporate fleet at its headquarters in Korea, to be used by CEOs of affiliate companies within the Samsung group.
“The BMW Group is proud to cooperate with leading Korean automotive and high-tech companies. We will continue to leverage the technological potential of our partners to bring unprecedented innovations into our vehicles,” said BMW’s Chairman of the Board of Management Oliver Zipse. “Samsung is one of these important partners when it comes to electro-mobility and it is a strong symbol to see Samsung’s management team enjoying the new BMW i7 equipped with our latest cutting-edge technologies.”
Also read: 14 photos comparing the G70 BMW i7 against 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS, which is your pick?
“I am happy to be with BMW,” Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong said. “Let’s strengthen current cooperation between the two companies.”
“As a strategic partner of BMW, Samsung SDI is proud to participate in the development of the new i7 luxury flagship electric sedan,” CEO of Samsung’s battery subsidiary Samsung SDI, Choi Yoon-ho said. “The two companies will set new standards for EVs and batteries.”
Closer to home, BMW Group Malaysia is expected to launch the i7 in the coming months. Registration of interests started in July 2022. The company has already registered several units of the i7 for its internal use and rather than hiding it until its launch, it is allowing these cars to roam free on public roads.
Also read: All-electric 7 Series – BMW i7 EV in Malaysia, xDrive60 M Sport
Source: “I will buy yours if you buy mine” – Samsung takes delivery of 10 BMW i7s for its corporate fleet