BAT International's Otay Mesa Plant Delivers First Vehicles To U.S.
30 September 1998
BAT International Otay Mesa (Mexico) Auto Plant Delivers First Vehicles To U.S. CHULA VISTA, Calif., Sept. 30 -- BAT International
(OTC Bulletin Board: BAAT) today received their first four vehicles in the
U.S. from their new Otay Mesa composite chassis auto plant. The vehicles
arrived at BAT's new Chula Vista offices in San Diego for distribution to U.S.
customers.
The Otay Mesa plant is now at 75% of Phase I production capacity (See
press release dated 9-28-98). The Otay Mesa produces electric, gasoline and
propane composite vehicles.
The first 40 vehicles off the production line will be delivered to various
high profile customers or used to meet marketing objectives including the
following:
Vehicle 1-6: Two electric, two propane and two gasoline vehicles will be
used in demonstration activities in Mexico and the U.S.
Vehicle 7: One vehicle will be converted to a hybrid electric vehicle
under an existing contract with funding from the U.S. Department of Defense
DARPA program.
Vehicle 8: One electric vehicle will be delivered to a new BAT Electric
vehicle distributor in Hawaii.
Vehicle 9-29: Twenty vehicles will be delivered to World Star Asia, Inc.
(OTC Bulletin Board: WSAS) the WTA master license owner for the Philippines
for local use, including 6 electric, 7 propane and 7 gasoline vehicles. WTA
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Composite Automobile Research Ltd.
(OTC Bulletin Board: CARHF). Vehicles will be distributed throughout the
Republic of the Philippines to government organizations and utilities. World
Star Asia is presently building a composite auto plant similar to the one in
Mexico. The Mexico facility is supporting this effort.
Vehicle 30-31: Two vehicles will be delivered as gliders (vehicles without
engines) for retrofitting with advanced batteries, power packs (such as fuel
cells) and high efficiency drive systems.
Vehicle 32: One vehicle (or more) will be leased to ABC Internationale
Bi-National Partnership in conjunction with on-going programs of BF Goodrich
Aerospace Corporation.
Vehicle 33-35: Three vehicles will be shipped to Montana as gliders for
use as specialty rural cold weather vehicles.
Vehicle 36: One vehicle will be shipped to a BAT distributor for the
island of Barbados to be used as a specialty recreation and island transport
demonstration vehicle.
Vehicle 37: One vehicle will be shipped as a glider to Palm Springs,
California. Palm Springs has special legislation that allows use of electric
vehicles at lower speeds without registration or license plates. These types
of ordinances are being passed in communities across the country and provide
an expanding market for multi-purpose electric vehicles.
Vehicle 38-39: Two vehicles will be used as crash test vehicles, with
results of testing viewed by a world audience at "Crash 98", an international
conference on accident reconstruction and safety sponsored by Texas A&M
University, Texas Engineering Extension Service Division.
Vehicle 40: One glider will probably be showcased at the new CALSTART
facilities in Pasadena. CALSTART is the center for advanced transportation in
California and is supported by 180 Companies including some of the largest
corporations in the U.S. and the U.S. Government.
This initial flurry of orders and projects indicates there is a market
developing for sale of these vehicles and gliders. The Mexico Joint Venture is
in negotiations with several groups concerning larger vehicle contracts.
The plant is designed to manufacture complete composite chassis, fenders,
hoods, roofs and all mechanical components including fixtures such as brake
and gas pedal assemblies. The monocoque composite chassis is ideal for
electric, gasoline and propane vehicles because it is extremely durable,
strong, safe and can carry heavy loads. BAT's subsidiary companies own 80% of
the Mexico plant and its partner Environmental Process Advanced (E.P.A.) of
Mexico owns 20%.
BAT International is organized as a holding company with major ownership
positions in a set of subsidiary companies now commercializing advanced
automotive and energy technology products developed by BAT over the last six
years, including anti-friction metal treatments, electric vehicles, super-
efficient or high power engines, advanced batteries and power electronics,
electric bicycles, scooters and electric power generation,(for more
information on BAT Int., see BAT's website at http://www.baat.com).
This press release contains forward-looking statements that should not be
used to make an investment decision. Please refer to our website & other
sources. For more detailed Company information, call Bill Wason of BAT,
619-409-8977.