Focus on next generation of lithium-ion batteries for hybrid drives
REGENSBURG, Germany and BERLIN, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The
international automotive supplier Continental has acquired shares in the
Japanese lithium-ion specialist Enax. Enax is a highly recognized
technology expert for the development and production of high-energy and
high-performance lithium-ion cells for hybrid and electrical vehicle
batteries. The two partners have agreed upon an exclusive cooperative
venture for the development of lithium-ion cells especially for future
hybrid and electric drives in automobiles. Continental acquires a 16
percent holding in Enax. Together, the two intend to improve safety,
service life and performance of lithium-ion batteries even further.
"In line with our evaluation criteria, Enax offers the broadest range
of know-how in high-performance lithium-ion cells, regarding the cell
materials as well as cell design," says Continental Executive Board member
Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann.
As an independent think tank, Enax can already provide more than ten
years of experience in the field of lithium-ion cells for automotive
applications, including cell technology and the chemical composition in
particular. "With this cooperation, we are pooling our innovative strength
and creating the technological basis for high-performance energy storage
devices of the next generation," explains Jorg Grotendorst, head of
Continental's Hybrid business unit. Grotendorst will in the future be a
member of the Board of Directors of Enax.
Enax was founded in 1996 by the current President and CEO, Dr. Kazunori
Ozawa. The company, which is headquartered in Tokyo and has manufacturing
facilities in China and Japan, employs more than 80 people, about half of
who work in research and development. The development center is located in
Yonezawa in the northern region of Japan. Enax holds a number of patents
relating to the production, cell materials and safety technology of the
batteries. Fiscal 2006 sales amounted to 10.5 million US dollars.
Continental has been developing components such as power electronics,
electrical machines and energy storage devices for hybrid drives already
since the mid 1990s. As the world's sole hybrid system supplier not tied to
an auto manufacturer, Continental has been mass producing a mild hybrid
since 2003. With its hybrid battery pack the company sets new standards in
getting eco-friendly hybrid technology onto the market faster and at a more
attractive cost. Continental will launch first-time volume production of a
high-performance lithium-ion battery for the Mercedes S 400 BlueHYBRID at
the end of this year.
With targeted annual sales of more than euro 26.4 billion in 2008, the
Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive suppliers worldwide.
As a supplier of brake systems, powertrain and chassis systems and
components, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics,
tires and engineering elastomers, the corporation contributes to enhanced
driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also a
competent partner in networked automobile communication. The corporation
currently employs approximately 150,000 at almost 200 locations in 36
countries.
Within automotive supplier Continental AG, the Powertrain division
integrates innovative and efficient powertrain system solutions into
vehicles. This boosts performance and enhances ride comfort while reducing
consumption and emissions. As partner to the automotive industry, the
division develops and produces a wide-ranging product portfolio at over
sixty locations worldwide, beginning with gas and diesel injection systems
and engine and transmission controls and extending through to components
and systems for hybrid drives. The Division currently achieves annual sales
exceeding euro 5 billion (based on figures for 2006) with a workforce of
more than 26,000 employees.
Online media databases: http://www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com
SOURCE Continental AG
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/437525.html /
CONTACT:
Michele Tinson, Director, Communications,
Continental, NAFTA Region, +1-248-393-8784, Cell:
+1-248-421-2486, Michele.tinson@us.contiautomotive.com
|
