Mary Barra, GM Chair, Arrives in Korea... Discusses Collaboration with LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI

Mary Barra, General Motors (GM) CEO
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Mary Barra, Chairwoman of General Motors (GM), the largest automobile manufacturer in the United States, arrived in South Korea on the 6th. Chairwoman Barra is scheduled to meet consecutively with domestic battery companies that are building joint battery plants in North America.

According to the battery industry on the 6th, Barra will meet Kim Dong-myeong, President of LG Energy Solution, and Choi Yoon-ho, President of Samsung SDI, respectively in Seoul on the 7th. This is Barra's first official visit to Korea since her appointment as Chairwoman in 2016.

GM is operating or constructing joint battery plants with LG Energy Solution in Ohio, Tennessee, and Michigan in the United States. With Samsung SDI, GM is building a joint battery plant in Indiana, aiming to start operations in 2026.

Chairwoman Barra is expected to discuss the joint plant project schedules and future battery supply volumes with the two companies. On the 30th of last month (local time), during an earnings conference call, Barra announced plans to reintroduce plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models to the North American market due to a slowdown in electric vehicle demand. She also expressed her intention to firmly maintain partnerships with Korean battery companies.

However, it is not yet confirmed whether Barra will visit the Korea GM headquarters and the Bupyeong and Changwon plants.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.