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Johnson Controls-Saft Announces Second Lithium-Ion Hybrid Battery Production Contract


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MILWAUKEE, October 14, 2008: Johnson Controls-Saft will be providing lithium-ion batteries for BMW's 7 Series ActiveHybrid car, currently being showcased at the Paris motor show. Lithium-ion batteries are 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than NiMH batteries used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) on the road today.

The lithium-ion cells and modules will be produced at the Johnson Controls-Saft production facility in Nersac, France. The facility, which is the world's first production facility for lithium-ion batteries for HEVs, opened in January 2008 and is scaleable as demand increases.

"Johnson Controls-Saft is delighted to announce this contract with BMW for our lithium-ion technology. This contract consolidates our leading position in lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles," said Mary Ann Wright who leads the joint venture and is vice president and general manager of Johnson Controls' hybrid battery business.

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, world leader in high technology batteries with extensive Li-ion battery expertise.

This contract is the second lithium-ion production contract for Johnson Controls-Saft. Additionally, the company has multiple development contracts underway for lithium-ion batteries for HEVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.