HELLA and Evergrande intensify cooperation

Lippstadt/Shenzhen, 24 June 2021. The new joint venture HELLA Evergrande Electronics (Shenzhen) Co., which was founded last year by the internationally positioned automotive supplier HELLA and the Evergrande Group, is intended to further accelerate the development and production of high-voltage battery management systems, especially for the Chinese automotive market. The joint venture currently employs around 90 people; by the end of 2023, this number is expected to increase to around 200.

Within the scope of the cooperation, Evergrande will contribute in particular its comprehensive expertise in the field of battery production as well as its application know-how. HELLA is primarily contributing its many years of experience in the field of battery electronics and system integration. HELLA has been active in the area of battery management systems since 2016. This spring, the latest generation of high-voltage battery management systems went into series production for a German premium manufacturer. High-voltage battery management systems are characterized by the fact that they ensure the safe and reliable functioning of lithium-ion batteries in electric as well as full and plug-in hybrid vehicles by measuring, among other things, the voltage, temperature and current of the battery. With joint efforts, both parties will make full use of their advantages in technology, know-how and financial resources for instance to jointly develop high-class battery management systems in high speed.

"China is an essential key market for us to further expand our activities in the field of battery electronics and to proactively shape the topic of electromobility," says Björn Twiehaus, who as a member of the HELLA Management Board is responsible for the Electronics division. "By partnering with Evergrande, we are simultaneously strengthening our market access in China and further expanding our leading technology position."

The Evergrande Group is one of the largest companies in China and, as a broad-based industrial group, is also active in the field of electric mobility. In addition to the battery production, this also includes the electric car brand Evergrande New Energy Auto. In the future, both Evergrande New Energy Auto as well as other automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers shall be supplied with high-voltage battery management systems via the newly founded joint venture.