SES AI, Hyundai Motor and Kia Agree to Enter the Next Phase of Their Joint Development Contract

Rhea-AI Summary

SES AI, Hyundai Motor, and Kia have agreed to enter the next phase of their joint development contract, marking two world firsts in the Li-Metal battery industry. SES AI will build a dedicated B-sample cell development facility in South Korea, becoming the only company with two B-sample development JDAs underway. This collaboration signifies a significant milestone in achieving commercial production and highlights the commitment to advancing electric vehicle technology.

This agreement marks two world firsts for SES AI: It is the first time a Lithium-Metal battery manufacturer has agreed to build a line within an automotive OEM’s facility, and it makes SES AI the only Li-Metal battery company to have two B-sample development JDAs underway.

WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SES AI Corporation (“SES AI”) (NYSE: SES), a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance Li-Metal batteries, today announced that it signed an agreement to enter the next phase of its existing joint development agreement (“JDA”) with Hyundai Motor Company (‘’Hyundai Motor’’) and Kia Corporation (“Kia”) to start developing B samples.

As part of the agreement, Hyundai Motor and Kia - SES AI will build a dedicated B-sample cell development, assembly and testing facility in Ui-Wang, South Korea starting later this year, and SES AI will build and operate one of the largest capacity Li-Metal lines in the world within this new facility. This collaboration is the first of its kind in the Li-Metal battery industry and represents an important milestone in achieving commercial production.

The expansion of the relationship with Hyundai Motor and Kia means that SES AI is the first Li-Metal battery company in the world to have two B-sample development JDAs underway. SES AI previously announced its first B-sample JDA with another major automaker in December 2023. In addition to these two B-sample lines, SES AI is also converting another A-sample line to produce Urban Air Mobility (UAM) battery cells.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to deepen our longstanding partnership with Hyundai Motor and Kia, whose commitment to growing the electric vehicle market has made it the second-largest seller of these automobiles in the U.S.,” said Qichao Hu, founder and Chief Executive Officer of SES AI. “At SES AI, we are committed to delivering on our promise to develop a next-generation EV battery that leverages AI to achieve the best combination of energy density, manufacturability, and a nearly 100 percent safety guarantee.”

SES AI, Hyundai Motor and Kia teamed up in 2021 to collaborate on a range of technologies, including Li-Metal batteries for UAM as well as EV applications.

“SES AI’s Li-Metal experience will be an important enabling piece of the technology portfolio that Hyundai Motor and Kia are investing in as part of their commitment to develop the world’s best product lineup and to ultimately become a carbon-neutral mobility solution,” said Chang Hwan Kim, Senior Vice President, Head of Electrification Energy Solutions Tech Unit at Hyundai Motor and Kia.

Based in the Boston suburb of Woburn, Massachusetts with operations in Shanghai and Seoul, SES AI is backed by Hyundai Motor and Kia, General Motors Co., and Honda Motor Co.

About SES AI:

SES AI Corp. (NYSE: SES) is powering the future of global electric transportation on land and in the air with the world’s most advanced Li-Metal batteries. SES AI is the first battery company in the world to accelerate its pace of innovation by utilizing superintelligent AI across the spectrum of its business, from research and development; materials sourcing; cell design; engineering and manufacturing; to battery health and safety monitoring. Founded in 2012, SES AI is an Li-Metal battery developer and manufacturer headquartered in Boston and with operations in Singapore, Shanghai, and Seoul. Learn more at SES.AI.

SES AI may use its website as a distribution channel of material company information. Financial and other important information regarding SES AI is routinely posted on and accessible through the Company’s website at www.ses.ai. Accordingly, investors should monitor this channel, in addition to following SES AI’s press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission filings and public conference calls and webcasts.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that SES AI believes are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to expectations for future financial performance, business strategies or expectations for our business. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of SES AI. Although SES AI believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot provide assurance that it will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “can”, “continue”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “may”, “might”, “plan”, “possible”, “potential”, “predict”, “project”, “seek”, “should”, “strive”, “target”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Should one or more of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties materialize, or should any of SES AI’s assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to the following risks: risks related to the development and commercialization of SES AI’s battery technology and the timing and achievement of expected business milestones; risks relating to the uncertainty of achieving and maintaining profitability; risks relating to the uncertainty of meeting future capital requirements; the ability of SES to integrate its products into electric vehicles (“EVs”) and Urban Air Mobility (“UAM") and other applications; the risk that delays in the pre-manufacturing development of SES AI’s battery cells could adversely affect SES AI’s business and prospects; risks relating to the development of the UAM market and demand for batteries from the UAM industry; potential supply chain difficulties; the ability of SES AI to engage target original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) customers successfully and integrate SES AI’s products into EVs manufactured by OEM customers; the ability to obtain raw materials, components or equipment through new or existing supply relationships; risks resulting from SES AI’s joint development agreements and other strategic alliances and investments; product liability and other potential litigation, regulation and legal compliance; SES AI’s ability to attract, train and retain highly skilled employees and key personnel; developments in alternative technology or other fossil fuel alternatives; risks related to SES AI’s intellectual property; business, regulatory, political, operational, financial and economic risks related to SES AI’s business operations outside the United States; SES AI has identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting and may identify material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to develop or maintain an effective system of internal controls; the volatility of SES AI’s common stock and value of SES AI’s public warrants; and the other risks described in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2024 and other documents filed from time to time with the SEC. There may be additional risks that SES AI presently knows and/or believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect SES AI’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views only as of the date of this press release. SES AI anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while SES AI may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, SES AI specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing SES AI’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

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Source: SES AI Corporation

FAQ

What is the significance of the agreement between SES AI, Hyundai Motor, and Kia?

The agreement marks two world firsts in the Li-Metal battery industry and signifies a important step towards achieving commercial production of high-performance Li-Metal batteries for electric vehicles.

Where will the dedicated B-sample cell development facility be built?

The facility will be constructed in Ui-Wang, South Korea, as part of the joint development agreement between SES AI, Hyundai Motor, and Kia.

Who is the founder and CEO of SES AI?

Qichao Hu is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of SES AI, a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance Li-Metal batteries.

Which major automaker did SES AI previously announce a B-sample JDA with?

SES AI previously announced its first B-sample JDA with another major automaker in December 2023.

What type of battery cells is SES AI converting another A-sample line to produce?

SES AI is converting another A-sample line to produce Urban Air Mobility (UAM) battery cells in addition to the B-sample lines for electric vehicles.