German auto-parts maker and engineering firm Robert Bosch is planning to produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EV) from 2016.
In the second half of 2012, the German auto-parts maker aims to bring a lithium-ion battery to the market for the first time, which is initially intended for marine use.
Bosch chairman of automotive unit Bernd Bohr told Dow Jones Newswires that the company is in talks with Samsung to restructure an automotive battery joint venture.
The company is also planning to seek partners in order to supply lithium-ion batteries in the European market.
Bosch is also planning to establish a new manufacturing and development plant for the automotive electronic control units in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, according to inautonews.com.
The company will invest €77m for the first phase of construction work, which is scheduled to start in the second quarter of this year, while manufacturing is expected to start in mid-2013.
