BMW Shifts Battery Sourcing to Europe and US as It Moves Away from China-Reliant Supply Chains
BMW reduces China dependence by sourcing EV batteries from Europe and US via Samsung and LG. Deliveries start end of decade.
German carmaker BMW announced on Monday it intends to increase its procurement of battery cells from Europe and the United States, as part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains and improve logistics efficiency.
The Munich-based company said the components for its new sixth-generation batteries would be manufactured at factories operated by South Korean firms Samsung and LG in those two regions. Deliveries are expected to begin at the end of the decade.
BMW’s purchasing board member Nicolai Martin said the move was a deliberate effort to build value closer to its key markets. “With our battery cell partnerships, we are deliberately strengthening value creation in Europe and the US,” Martin said, adding that diversifying procurement was an “integral part” of the company’s purchasing strategy.
Shorter Supply Routes, Greater Security
BMW said the rationale behind the shift was twofold: shortening transport routes and strengthening supply chain security. Battery cells used in the automotive industry currently come predominantly from China, making carmakers in Europe and elsewhere vulnerable to disruptions in long-distance logistics and geopolitical uncertainty.
By sourcing from facilities in Europe and the US, BMW aims to reduce that exposure without abandoning its existing supplier relationships.
Samsung Joins European Supplier Network
In Europe, Samsung will be brought in as an additional supplier alongside Chinese battery makers CATL and EVE Energy, both of which also operate production facilities within Europe. The expanded supplier base signals BMW’s intent to maintain a degree of diversification rather than a wholesale departure from any single source.
LG’s role is noted in relation to US-based production, with both South Korean companies serving as the cornerstone of BMW’s next-generation battery strategy in Western markets.
The announcement reflects a wider trend among European automakers to restructure battery supply chains amid growing concerns over over-reliance on Chinese manufacturers, trade policy shifts and the demands of electric vehicle production scaling up through the late 2020s.
