It's not GM. It's CHRYSLER!!!!!

[Patriot]

I was wondering why A123 was getting funding to build a multi-billion dollar Lithium Battery plant in Michigan, after GM dropped them, and went with LG Chem. This decision has been bothering me for a long time. Then A123 says they want to build a huge plant in Michigan anyway to mass produce batteries. My first thought was... Why?

Why would they build this huge plant with no guaranteed contracts with GM to build EV's?

It's not a business where one can simply have a leap of faith, and say... "If you build it, they will come."

Uh, no. it doesn't work like that in the big business world. You've got to have your ducks in a row before you drop over $1.8 Bills on a mass production facility.

So, what was the secret? Was it GM planning to build EV's with A123 cells? Nope.


It is Chrysler.

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/04 ... .html#more

I kind of like that little Orange EV roadster they had with the butterfly doors. The Zeo?

To be honest though. I'd rather just have one of those nice new Chrysler Sebring's, with an all electric drivetrain. Or the new 200C concept. Now those are cars the average person would want.

Now, if they can only stay in business long enough to make it happen, before they go bye-bye.

 

[Lock]

Chrysler press release here:
http://media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do;jsessionid=7CFED9860006C03B287DBF33779EA583?id=8627&mid=1

...incorporates all those lovely key phrases:
reducing dependency on foreign sources of energy and greenhouse gas
great example of two American companies working together
helps Chrysler achieve its leadership in electric-drive systems and vehicles
new jobs

Thought this was amusing:
Chrysler has successfully worked with A123Systems, both directly and through USCAR, for more than 3 years

and
creating a new generation of responsible, no-compromise Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles

tks
Lock

 

[Lock]

BTW, Chrysler isn't putting all it's eggs in the A123 basket...
recently leaked pic of other Chrysler hybrid development work:

 

[ngocthach1130]

That's terrible Lock. Who would buy a 1HP car. That thing will need at least 2 to keep up with walking pace.

 

[Lock]

Hehe.. what's it called? ... "walking"?
Walking pace (ok, jogging) is about how fast most traffic gets around in my (congested, urban) neighbourhood! The Chrysler hybrid project is still in experimental stages (see GM/Segway PUMA) but at least Chrysler had the forethought to put in a full entertainment system and minibar! Looks like a winner to me. Just need to add oat dispensers to area gas stations...
loK

 

[spinningmagnets]

I actually don't think there's a huge market for pure EV's, but anyone who makes them will sell "some"

I believe theres a huge market that will increase for plug-in hybrids. Keep your eye out for where the Federal government targets their tax-credits. Whether you agree with where the tax-credits go or not, they will definitely grow whatever they are assigned to.

I think Lithium battery growth may also influenced by the Chevron/Texaco restrictions of large-format NiMH batts. Buffett bought a lot of BYD (China) stock, and I read somewhere that BYD is building a plant in Mexico to build EV's for the North/South-American market