Oil covers Lithium

TylerDurden

100 GW
Joined
Jan 4, 2007
Messages
7,176
Location
Wear the fox hat.
Altair Nanotechnologies Announces $10 Million Private Placement

RENO, NV -- October 6, 2008 -- Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ALTI), a leading provider of advanced materials and products for power and energy systems, today announced the execution of an agreement for a $10 million private placement of its common stock to Al Yousuf LLC, and resolution of their potential claims associated with their 2007 investment. In November 2007, Altair announced the completion of a $40 million private placement with Al Yousuf LLC.

Under the terms of the purchase and settlement agreement, Altair has agreed to issue an aggregate of 8,000,000 shares of common stock to Al Yousuf LLC. 5,882,353 shares are being acquired by Al Yousuf LLC at a purchase price of $1.70 per share and 2,117,647 shares are being provided in exchange for a release of potential breach of contract and other claims related to the 2007 investment. Under the 2007 purchase agreement, Altair made certain representations and warranties related to its inventory, warranty reserve and similar matters that were affected by the write-offs and warranty offers announced in March 2008. All of the shares will be contractually restricted from resale for at least two years, with one-third of the shares being released from this restriction on the second, third and fourth anniversaries respectively. Altair has granted Al Yousuf registration rights related with respect to the shares.

"This investment demonstrates a deepening of our strategic relationship with Al Yousuf and a strong validation of the confidence we both share in Altair's power and energy technologies," said Terry M. Copeland, Altair's chief executive officer. "The proceeds from this funding will be used to support manufacturing growth, working capital and general corporate purposes as we expand the production of our advanced power and energy storage products."

"As Altair's recent outstanding independent testing results confirm, we continue to see the tremendous global growth opportunity for the company's innovative battery technology in both the transportation and stationary power markets," said Eqbal Al Yousuf, President of Al Yousuf LLC. "We are excited about the opportunity to expand our relationship with Altair and look forward to helping the company bring its powerful energy solutions to market."

The share price for the transaction was negotiated based on the 10-day average closing price between September 22, 2008 and October 3, 2008. The discount to market was negotiated as part of Al Yousuf's agreement to the extended resale restriction period.
In addition, Al Yousuf LLC will receive two seats on the company's Board of Directors. The first board member, Eqbal Al Yousuf, President of Al Yousuf LLC, will be added at the close of the transaction and the second will be added at the company's annual shareholders meeting in May 2009. The company plans to ask for shareholder approval to expand the board, Altair reported.

ABOUT THE AL YOUSUF LLC
Al Yousuf LLC was founded in Dubai in 1953 and since that time has steadily grown to become one of the leading commercial groups in the United Arab Emirates. Al Yousuf operates in a wide range of industries including automobiles, marine, manufacturing, real estate, information and communication technology, electronic goods and chemicals. Al Yousuf now has a network of subsidiaries and associate companies that in aggregate have more than 3,000 employees.

With partnership at the core of all of its activities, Al Yousuf has developed strong value-added relationships with major international companies such as Chevrolet, Yamaha, Daihatsu, Daewoo and Suzuki in the automotive and marine sectors, LG in electronics and ATI/Sapphire, CNet, Concerto-Aspect, Epson NEC, SimpleTech and ViewSonic in the information and communication technology sector.

Al Yousuf is constantly seeking new opportunities to partner with regional and world brands that are looking to expand to new markets. Increasingly, these companies are recognizing the advantages of partnering with Al Yousuf - a global organization with a track record of strong, continuous growth, solid support from its business partners, a dedicated and loyal workforce and the Royal Family's vision as its guide.

ABOUT ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC.
Altair is charging the energy revolution with their proprietary nano-lithium titanate material. This unique material is incorporated into energy storage solutions for the stationary power and transportation markets. A seasoned management team complements Altair's leading edge scientists and engineers with substantial experience in commercializing innovative, disruptive technologies. For more information visit http://www.altairnano.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the company's actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks that development of the advanced lithium ion-based batteries and related products described herein will not be completed for technical, political, strategic or other reasons; that any products developed will not perform as expected in future testing or real-world applications; and that even if full commercialization occurs, product sales may be limited and costs associated with production may exceed revenues. In addition, other risks are identified in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. The company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements found herein to reflect any changes in company expectations or results or any change in events.

For Additional Information:

Institutional Investors:
Altair Nanotechnologies Inc.
C. Robert Pedraza
Vice President, Corporate Strategy
775.856.2500
rpedraza@altairnano.com

Individual Investors:
McCloud Communications, LLC
Marty Tullio
Managing Member
949.553.9748
marty@mccloudcommunications.com
 
I didn't see how "oil" is involved. The closest association I saw was "chemicals" as one of the industries that Yousuf was directly involved in.

Maybe I should read later when I'll not be so sleep-deprived.
 
"(AYG) commenced operations nearly a quarter of a century ago with its first activity commencing in October, 1977.

AYG is a diversified investment holding company with operations covering a broad spectrum of activities including financial services, oil and gas, real estate development, telecommunications, trading and services."


http://www.alyousefgroup.com/Group_Hist.html
 
If I were an optimist, I would say they are trying to hedge their bets. Given what has happened with other battery technologies in the past it is hard to be an optomist.
 
They also have a major stake in ZAP.

Al Yousuf Group Provides a $10 Million Financing Arrangement for ZAP
Submitted by acampbell on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 05:33.

SANTA ROSA, California, USA and DUBAI, UAE (August 5, 2008) – Electric vehicle manufacturer ZAP (OTC BB: ZAAP) announced today that the Al Yousuf Group, a Dubai-based conglomerate and investor, is providing a $10 million financing arrangement for future working capital enabling ZAP to meet growing demand for its electric vehicles. The financing arrangement allows for advances by ZAP over the next few years.

“Orders for ZAP’s full-line of electric vehicles have been increasing as a result of the company's rapidly expanding dealer network,” said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. A year ago, ZAP had 20 dealers, a number that has increased to 50 today. The Company has also seen dramatic growth in scooter sales through its 70 scooter and bicycle dealers in the past year. ZAP added that demand for dealerships is growing in the US and abroad and expects the Company to add a significant number of new dealers and distributors over the next 12 months.

"This is the opportunity of a lifetime for ZAP and we are ready to seize the moment," said ZAP Chairman Eqbal Al Yousuf, who is President of The Al Yousuf Group, one of the largest distributors of automobiles in The Middle East. Over the past year The Al Yousuf Group and Mr. Al Yousuf personally have taken an interest in ZAP as an investor, customer and now in a management role. Two of Al Yousuf's key executives have visited ZAP over the summer.

ZAP introduced the Xebra in June of 2006. The designers of the Xebra said that because electric vehicles are significantly different than gas-powered cars, they require a fresh sales approach. Xebra vehicles are attractive because they are practical, affordable and, most important, they are available for delivery today in an era of record gas prices when few electric alternatives exist. The vehicle is designed for in-town driving at speeds up to 40 MPH and can recharge at any normal 110v outlet like a cell phone. Many Xebra owners say it costs about 50 cents to fuel up where gas-powered cars fill up for $50 or more. The Xebra is manufactured in China to achieve affordable pricing on a global basis.

ZAP believes its Xebra vehicles are growing in popularity because families are demanding more economical transportation. Rather than buy a new gas-powered car on a tight budget, many multi-car families are opting for a new Xebra instead to handle all short trips around town, avoiding the expense and wear-and-tear on their older gasoline vehicles. Business fleets have also been field-testing ZAP vehicles, including Dominos Pizza, UPS, Coca-Cola, El Pollo Loco and others. City and county departments have started adding ZAP vehicles to their fleet operation.

About ZAP

ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. ZAP is positioning its business at the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, electric, hybrid and other innovative power systems. ZAP has a joint venture called Detroit Electric to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group. Detroit Electric is developing a freeway capable electric vehicle called the ZAP Alias. Future plans for the venture are dependent upon both parties receiving outside financing. ZAP is also developing a new generation of vehicles using lithium batteries. The Company recently announced a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Al Yousuf Group to expand its international vehicle distribution. ZAP also makes an innovative, new portable energy technology that manages power for mobile electronics from cell phones to laptops. For product, dealer and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks .

Contact:

Alex Campbell
ZAP
707-525-8658 x 241
acampbell@zapworld.com

Mr. Siraj Ahmad Haris
sharis@alyousuf.com



file.php
 
Back
Top