The Courtship of Magna and LG Electronics

That observation became the subject for some animated dinner conversation between the two teams later that night.

“We found out how incredibly committed the Korean culture is to golf,” explained James J. Tobin Jr., a Magna team member and casual golfer. “People have to book a tee time four to five weeks in advance. So they play rain or shine.”

Comparing notes about quirky golfing habits, hobbies and “anything sports-related” helped to cement the bond between the Magna and LG teams.

“Our goal was to create interpersonal relationships,” said Tobin, the senior director of business development for Magna Powertrain. “Often, it meant being available at all times of the day because of the 12- to 13-hour time difference. Sometimes it meant being available on weekends. Flexibility is the key.”

He added: “One of the challenges was putting together the deal during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the Magna team went to South Korea in September and December of 2020, before vaccines were widely available, we created a stronger and deeper relationship. They respected the effort our team made to come over during a pandemic.”

The look and feel of networking dinners changed because of the pandemic. The teams split up into smaller groups, with only two people at each table. During the one-on-one meals, notes were compared about families and education. The Magna team learned some of the LG team was educated in the U.S., rooting for Big Ten college teams such as the Penn State Nittany Lions. These little insights offered even more opportunities to connect.

The end result: the deal that made headlines around the world was “a natural fit.” LG Magna e-Powertrain will meet increasing demand for electric vehicle components with a focus on manufacturing e-motors, inverters and on-board chargers in South Korea, China and the U.S.

“We were all laser-focused on the goal,” said Tobin. “The JV is a marriage between Magna and LG, two large companies with rich histories. We created something critical to the future of both organizations. We know there is a big shift coming in electrification, and this deal enables Magna to be a significant player in the future of mobility.”