Wind Energy

A123 Systems and GM partner Shanghai Automotive plan electric battery venture

Watertown, Mass.-based A123 already is a supplier to GM. The deal with SAIC, one of China’s biggest automakers, extends that co-operation in China, the world’s biggest auto market.

State-owned SAIC will hold a 51 per cent stake in the joint venture, which will focus on developing battery systems for electric and hybrid cars, trucks and buses, A123 said in a statement. It gave no financial details.

"We look forward to building a team of outstanding employees to develop innovative battery technologies that we expect will be included in some of the highest quality hybrid and electric vehicles anywhere in the world," David Vieau, CEO of A123 Systems, said in the statement.

The new venture, called Shanghai Advanced Traction Battery Systems Co., will be the main supplier for all hybrid and pure electric vehicles made by SAIC Motor and its subsidiaries. But it will also seek to expand its share in the market for electric vehicle battery systems, it said.

A123 Systems will hold 49 per cent in venture and share management duties equally with SAIC, the statement said.

SAIC is using A123 battery cells in its own-brand autos, including the hybrid Roewe 750 and a plug-in version of the Roewe 550.

Founded in 2001, A123 Systems was funded initially by a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to commercialize technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its customers also include Chrysler, Delphi, AES Energy Storage and Black&Decker Corp.

SAIC recently obtained a majority 51 per cent stake in its main China joint venture with GM, Shanghai GM, as part of a deal that calls for the Chinese partner to invest up to $350 million in a venture aimed at expanding in the Indian auto market.

A123 Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:AONE) develops and manufactures advanced lithium ion batteries and battery systems for the transportation, electric grid services and consumer markets. Headquartered in Massachusetts and founded in 2001, A123 was funded initially with a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. A123 Systems’ proprietary nanoscale electrode technology is built on initial developments from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Among the companies selecting A123 batteries, battery systems and technology in the fields of transportation, grid energy storage and consumer products are Chrysler, Delphi, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, AES Energy Storage, LLC and The Black & Decker Corporation.

www.a123systems.com