Hogan Lovells has successfully advised the Japanese companies Mitsubishi Corp. and GS Yuasa International on the formation of a joint venture with Robert Bosch GmbH, an internationally leading technology and service company.

The joint venture will research and develop the next generation of high-performing lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are fundamental for future forms of mobility, such as plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicles. The companies aim to use advanced cell management and progress in electrochemistry and materials to significantly increase energy content. This will reduce weight and space requirements, and increase the range of electric vehicles.

The three companies have – after obtaining cartel approval - set up a joint venture for joint research and development, and to support their mother companies in sales and marketing activities. Operations are planned to start in the beginning of 2014. The headquarters will be Stuttgart/Germany. Bosch holds a 50 percent stake in the joint venture, with GS Yuasa and Mitsubishi Corporation each holding 25 percent.

The Hogan Lovells team advising Mitsubishi and GS Yuasa was led by corporate partner Dr. Michael Leistikow, assisted by Dr. Martina Sura (partner, antitrust), Dr. Heiko Gemmel (partner, tax), Dr. Christian Reichmann (corporate) and Nico Neukam (tax, all Dusseldorf).