German lithium-ion battery developer and producer BMZ is staying tight-lipped about plans to team up with auto industry firms on a new ‘e-mobility’ joint venture.
BMZ proposes to “assume joint control” of the newly-launched Sachs Micro Mobility— which is 48% owned by car brakes manufacturer ZF Friedrichshafen— according to documents filed with European Commission competition chiefs seen by BEST Battery Briefing.
Under the terms of the proposed deal, which must be approved by the Commission, German car brakes maker Gustav Magenwirth and bike brakes firm Brake Force One would also be controlling partners.
A BMZ spokesperson told BBB the battery maker could not discuss details.
ZF and partners established Sachs Micro Mobility last year “to redefine electro mobility in the micro mobility sector for two-, three- and four- wheeled vehicles”.
ZF’s CEO Dr Stefan Sommer has said previously Sachs will blend “a high level of innovation, speed, global automotive production competence and first-class sales and service expertise”.
BMZ has already established itself as a key player in the European and international batteries market. Founder and managing director Sven Bauer (pictured) told BBB earlier this year the group was in preliminary talks to secure additional battery cell supplies from China— and was considering partnering with a Japanese company to launch a battery cell production plant in Europe.
In April, BMZ said it was relocating its China operations in Shenzhen to new premises in the city to expand operations.
