Both Panasonic and Bosch are vying for the battery supply agreement for the Porsche Mission-E electric vehicle, according to recent reports.
Porsche AG is currently in the process of considering the two bids — with Panasonic Corporation offering a lower bid than Robert Bosch GmbH, but of course more complex logistics as well (Bosch and Porsche are located not far from one another) — according to those involved.
“We’re in the final stage of making a decision,” stated Porsche CEO Oliver Blume, in a recent interview at the Geneva International Motor Show. Notably, Blume didn’t comment on which companies were being considered.
A reminder here that Porsche is owned by Volkswagen AG. Following the bad PR of the diesel emissions cheating scandal, the company put aside €1 billion for the creation of its first all-electric (EV) sports car — the Porsche Mission E.
It’s also interesting to note that, despite possessing the same parent company, Audi will be contracting its lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries from LG Chem and Samsung, rather than Panasonic. Panasonic is, it should be remembered, a supplier and partner to Tesla Motors — arguably the top electric vehicle supplier out there right now. Quite a web of jockeying interests huh?
The production Porsche Mission E will be based fairly closely on the Mission E concept unveiled at the Frankfurt automotive show last year, reportedly. Production of the electric sports car is expected to take place in Stuttgart, Germany.
Those looking for more information on the Porsche Mission E can find it here.