Magna International
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Samsung makes a big play for electric cars by nabbing a battery pack firm
Samsung wants to ensure it's as integral to the electric car world as it is to the mobile arena. The Korean electronics giant is acquiring Magna International's battery pack arm, Magna Steyr, which will fit nicely inside of Samsung SDI, its component division. SDI has already scored a major deal with BMW providing batteries for its new i3 electric car and i8 hybrid, and it will make up eight percent of Tesla's battery supply this year (it's also in talks to build even more). Having more battery smarts, naturally, should make Samsung a stronger competitor to Panasonic, which is Tesla's biggest suppler, as well as its partner for the massive "Gigafactory" battery plant. You might also remember Magna as one of the companies Apple reportedly talked to for its rumored electric car project.
Magna, Mitsubishi show off electric vehicle concepts in Geneva
We're not sure if it has anything to do with its falling out with Telsa or not, but auto-parts maker Magna International looks to have really gone all out for this year's Geneva Motor Show, where it is showing off its new Mila EV concept vehicle. Apparently, in addition to proving that it can build more than just parts, Magna is hoping that the vehicle will appeal to manufactures who want a turn-key EV platform that they can quickly get into production. Magna even seems to be going so far as to supply the batteries for the vehicle, which it says could have a charging time of just 2.5 hours and a range of 150 kilometers. Also offering up an EV concept at the show is Mitsubishi, which has rolled out an update to its iMiEV electric vehicle in the form of the iMiEV Sport Air (pictured after the break). In addition to getting an even more eye-catching, head-scratching look, this one also gets a boost in range from 100 to 120 miles, and a bit of an increase in performance from a new 60 kW motor. Dive into the links below for a closer look at each.Read - AutoblogGreen, "Geneva 2009: Magna Steyr Mila EV concept"Read - Autoblog, "Geneva 2009: Mitsubishi iMiEV Sport Air streamlines the bubble"
