Johnson Controls-Saft Opens World's First Production Facility for Lithium-Ion Hybrid Vehicle Batteries - VIDEO ENHANCED

NERSAC, France, Jan. 31, 2008 -- Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions announced today the official opening of its new lithium-ion automotive battery manufacturing facility.

The plant, based in Nersac, France, is dedicated to the manufacture of advanced lithium-ion batteries for hybrid, plug-in, fuel cell and electric vehicles and is the first of its kind in the world.

Johnson Controls-Saft initially invested euro 15 million in the facility, which is producing batteries for global automotive customers. It has been built to be scaleable, so that as demand increases it can increase production capacity to meet customer and market demands.

"This manufacturing facility demonstrates our ongoing commitment to hybrid technology," said Mary Ann Wright who leads the joint venture and is vice president and general manager of Johnson Controls' hybrid battery business. "We are the first company to produce the batteries for the automotive industry and have recently announced a number of production and development contracts. We are confident that we will continue to be a global leader in the development and manufacture of advanced energy solutions for automotive batteries that make cars more energy efficient."

Wright was joined today by Johnson Controls President and Chief Operating Officer Keith Wandell, Johnson Controls President of Power Solutions Alex Molinaroli, and Saft CEO John Searle to officially open the plant.

In addition to the plant in Nersac, Johnson Controls-Saft has research and development centers in Milwaukee, USA and Bordeaux, France; as well as system engineering, testing and integration centers in Milwaukee, USA; Hanover, Germany; and Shanghai, China.

Johnson Controls-Saft is a joint venture that has brought together Johnson Controls -- the world's leading supplier of automotive batteries and a company deeply experienced in integrated automotive systems solutions -- with Saft, an advanced energy storage solutions provider with extensive Li-ion battery expertise.

Click PLAY to watch the Johnson Controls press conference at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show

About Saft

Saft (Euronext : Saft) is a world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for industry. Saft batteries are used in high performance applications such as industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, space and defense. Saft is the world's leading manufacturer of nickel-cadmium batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for a wide range of end markets. The group is also the European leader for specialized advanced technologies for the defense and space industries. With approximately 3,800 employees worldwide, Saft is present in 18 countries. Its 18 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network enable the group to serve its customers worldwide. For more information, visit Saft at http://www.saftbatteries.com/

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

Want more information? Search the web!

Search The Auto Channel!

Search 1,043,125 pages