Industry sources expect Samsung SDI to provide battery packs for BMW’s upcoming X5 Plug-in Hybrid SUV, according to Korean news agency Yonhap.

In July 2014, BMW and Samsung agreed to expand their supply relationship. The Korean company’s battery cells power the BMW i3 and i8, and market research firm IHS expects Samsung to increase shipments of cells by at least 20-30 percent between now and 2016. IHS believes that Samsung’s recent purchase of Magna Steyr’s battery pack division opened the door for it to strengthen its corporate ties with BMW.

Several months ago, BMW Group commissioned two new production lines for high-voltage battery packs and electric motors at its Dingolfing plant. The X5 Plug-in Hybrid is expected to be launched this year.

Samsung seems to be aggressively targeting the electromobility market. It has also shipped EV battery cells to Chrysler Group and India’s Mahindra & Mahindra, and is known to be working with Ford on a lithium-ion battery project. There are also rumors of links with Volkswagen.

Source: Yonhap via Green Car Congress