BAT International - The Year In Review
6 January 1999
BAT International - The Year In Review
CHULA VISTA, Calif., Jan. 6 -- Let's review BAT
International's (OTC Bulletin Board: BAAT) success and progress vs. stock
performance for 1998. BAT is a complex research and development company that
has partially spun-off a number of companies in a variety of clean air
transportation technologies and other advanced technology programs. In 1998,
several of these companies made the difficult transition from R&D startups to
ongoing production, marketing and sales organizations. All of these companies
are very aggressive and acquisition oriented.
During the year, many investors became confused at the variety and
enormous scope of the BAT projects. Quite frankly, investors could not
believe that such a small company with seemingly limited resources could be
successful in so many endeavors. While some analysts were predicting BAT's
financial demise, BAT has continued to grow and launch new companies and
products. Against exceptional odds, BAT has even attained international
stature, clocking in during one 30-day period over 340,000 referral hits from
all over the world on BAT's web site (http://www.baat.com).
BAT's attractiveness has lead to extremely active trading in BAT stock
during the entire year. For example, in one two-week period, BAT traded
nearly 100,000,000 shares and still usually averages 300,000 shares each day
(total outstanding shares = approximately 78,000,000).
BAT started the year with outstanding technologies and aggressive
management, but with limited assets and small cash reserves. To the
astonishment of many, BAT ended the 1998 year with an improved cash position,
little debt, increased assets, two new spin-off companies and several new
product lines including SuperBAT TVT lubricants (web site http://www.superbat.com)
and an automobile manufacturing facility in Mexico. These achievements will
spearhead the company's expansion into 1999.
In the field of transportation technology, BAT started the 1998 year with
industry criticism because BAT invested much effort and time into technology
that at first glance seemed to be out-of-touch with automotive trends. BAT
was promoting and developing items such as CVT's (constantly variable
transmissions) and automobiles powered by diesel engines and new diesel fuels.
By the end of the year, much of the auto industry had joined BAT and was
projecting CVT as the transmission of choice for vehicles in the near future.
In fact, the auto industry now supports the arrival of diesel-powered American
cars in the very near future and also projects the use of new diesel fuels.
To illustrate one case, the Toyota Prius (a hybrid electric vehicle),
which is considered by the industry to be the most efficient vehicle ever
built, utilizes CVT technology. General Motors recently announced that they
would use the Prius technology combined with a diesel engine to power its new
hybrid vehicles under contract with United Parcel Service (UPS).
To all BAT followers, BAT asks, "Does BAT's long-term technology
investment now seem on target?" -- In 1998, BAT-powered diesel vehicles
equipped with BAT's Dolphin Pulse Charge technology (see web site
http://www.pulsecharge.com) were consistently proven to be more efficient that the
enormously complex and expensive Toyota Prius (as documented at the
http://www.pulsecharge.com web site).
All things considered, BAT has had a great 1998 year. However, BAT
finished the year at a stock price equal to its 50 week low (1/15/98 through
12/30/1998). Many people believe that there is a discrepancy between BAT's
technologies, companies, progress and expansion and BAT's stock price.
In summary, BAT's subsidiary company's have come a long way and have
successfully predicted future trends in the transportation and environment-
related industries. BAT is determined to continue the expansion of its
product lines in 1999 and to continue leveraging its substantial technological
assets gained through years of research.
Indeed, the end of the millennium appears to be BAT's most promising year
ever.
BAT International is organized as a holding company with major ownership
position in a set of subsidiary companies now commercializing advanced
automotive and energy technology products developed by BAT over the last six
years. This includes electric vehicles, super-efficient or high-powered
engines, advanced batteries and power electronics, electric bicycles and
scooters, super anti-friction additives, and electric power generation. (for
more information, call Bill Wason (619) 409-8977 or visit BAT's web site:
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 web sites and other
sources for more detailed information or call Bill Wason (619) 409-8977.