Unique Mobility Announces Exclusive Product Development Agreement
6 March 2000
Unique Mobility Announces Exclusive Product Development Agreement With Multinational Equipment MakerGOLDEN, Colo., March 6 UNIQUE MOBILITY, INC. (Amex: UQM) announced today that it has entered into an exclusive product development agreement with a multinational equipment maker for the application of Unique's proprietary electric motor and controls technology to one of the customer's products. Under the terms of an initial three year agreement, Unique will apply its proprietary technology to the customer's product on an exclusive basis during which time the companies expect to complete a commercial supply agreement to ensure continued exclusivity for the developed product in the markets where the product is sold. According to William G. Rankin, Unique's President and Chief Executive Officer, "This agreement is the result of our technical collaboration with this customer over the last several years in which we have developed and supplied various prototype product concepts. This product development agreement represents our joint belief that Unique's proprietary motor and control technology can be deployed in this product to enable superior product performance and reduced product environmental impact at the competitive price points required by the customer. We expect that this development program represents the first of several product initiatives under consideration by this customer for its extensive product line in the multiple markets where it is a dominant player." Unique developed a gearless brushless direct drive electric motor for Invacare Corporation's Action Arrow(R) Storm series power wheelchair product line under a similar arrangement and currently manufactures these motors for Invacare under an exclusive supply agreement. Unique Mobility, Inc. is a leading developer and manufacturer of power dense, high efficiency motors, gear assemblies and electronic assemblies for the automotive, aerospace, telecommunications, medical and industrial markets. A major emphasis of the Company is in applying its systems to the emerging hybrid-electric and fuel cell electric vehicle market. The Company's headquarters and engineering and product development center are located in Golden, Colorado. Manufacturing facilities are located in Frederick, Colorado (electric motors and gear assemblies) and St. Charles Missouri (electronic assemblies and wire harnesses). For more information on the Company, please visit its worldwide website at http://www.uqm.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the Risk Factors section of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-78525) filed by the Company with the SEC, which identifies important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including the Company's ability to become profitable and its ability to obtain additional financing, the Company's reliance on major customers and suppliers. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of the press release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.