Porsche acquires VARTA’s V4Drive business, rebranding it as V4Smart to expand ultra-high-performance lithium-ion cell production for automotive and beyond.

Porsche Acquires VARTA’s Ultra-High-Performance Lithium-Ion Cell Business, Rebrands as V4Smart

Porsche acquires VARTA’s V4Drive business, rebranding it as V4Smart to expand ultra-high-performance lithium-ion cell production for automotive and beyond.

Porsche AG has acquired V4Drive GmbH from the VARTA AG-Group, becoming the majority shareholder while VARTA AG retains a minority stake without operational influence.

The newly rebranded V4Smart will focus on high-performance cylindrical lithium-ion cells, expanding beyond the automotive sector.

V4Smart’s booster cells are already in series production for Porsche’s 911 GTS models, enhancing driving performance. Currently produced in Ellwangen, manufacturing will expand to a new Nördlingen facility from April 2025.

“The booster cells bring motorsport technology to our production cars,” said Albrecht Reimold, Porsche’s Board Member for Production and Logistics. The T-Hybrid drive system in the 911 benefits from these advanced battery cells, ensuring exceptional performance.

V4Smart’s leadership team includes Lutz Kramer (Chairman), Andreas Tschürtz (Managing Director Production), and Monika Steuss (Managing Director Finance). By the end of 2025, the company plans to grow to 375 employees, many from the VARTA AG-Group.

Porsche Werkzeugbau GmbH has played a key role in developing production systems for Nördlingen, furthering its expertise in battery manufacturing technology. Future production will utilize renewable energy, reinforcing Porsche’s commitment to sustainability.

Separately, Porsche AG is also pursuing a stake in VARTA AG, supporting its restructuring efforts. This transaction is still pending.

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