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Orion, MI, March 13, 2007–Cobasys, a leading
supplier of advanced integrated energy storage solutions,
today confirmed that they have been chosen to provide
their NiMHax® Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery
system for General Motors’ redesigned 2008 Chevrolet
Malibu Hybrid Sedan unveiled at the 2007 North American
International Auto Show in Detroit.
The Chevrolet Malibu arrives in showrooms in fall,
2007 and will feature the same hybrid system that powers
the Saturn Vue Green Line SUV and 2007 Saturn Aura Green
Line mid-size sedan. The Malibu hybrid combines sophisticated
controls and a unique electric motor / generator mated
to their 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine and the Cobasys
NiMHax®battery system, leading to substantial fuel
economy gains.
Both Saturn Green Line vehicles and the Malibu hybrid
system provide: an electric power assist during acceleration;
increased fuel economy through engine shut-off at idle;
fuel cut-off during deceleration; and the capability
to capture electrical energy through regenerative braking.
Cobasys’ complete “plug-and-play” NiMHax
36-Volt system, which includes its high power advanced
NiMH battery modules and electronics in a small, lightweight
package, was designed specifically for GM’s hybrid
applications. The NiMHax 36 Volt systems will be manufactured
at the Cobasys facility in Springboro, Ohio.
“Cobasys is pleased to have been awarded a fourth
hybrid program from General Motors as they continue
to develop their portfolio of hybrid offerings,”
stated Gary Absher, Vice President of Product Development.
“At Cobasys, we have positioned ourselves to be
technology leaders by creating the right advanced chemistry
battery system solutions for hybrid vehicles.”
As General Motors continues to expand into the industry’s
most diverse portfolio of hybrid technologies, Cobasys
has surfaced as the key player in supplying their environmentally-friendly
energy storage systems for GM’s hybrid programs,
including:
- The 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line SUV containing the
Cobasys NiMHax® Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery
system while was available to consumers in summer,
2006.
- The recently announce 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line
mid-size sedan which will also feature the Cobasys
“plug-and-play” NiMHax system.
- General Motors awarded an advanced battery contract
to Cobasys and its partner A123Systems to design and
test lithium-ion batteries for both plug-in and extended
range electric vehicles. The advanced batteries are
planned for the Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid
SUV and GM’s E-Flex electric vehicle system.
- Now, Cobasys is confirming it will be supplying
the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Sedan with the same
36V NiMH battery system offered on the Saturn hybrids.
Erik Hansen, Cobasys General Manager of Sales commented,
“Cobasys is chemistry flexible because no single
technology is right for all vehicle and stationary applications.
In 2007, we will be investing over $30 million in plant
and equipment to meet the ever growing demand for Nickel
Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery systems at our Springboro,
Ohio module manufacturing and system assembly plant.
Cobasys has contracted for the majority of its capacity
through 2010.”
Cobasys designs and manufactures advanced energy storage
system solutions which feature NiMH battery technology
for transportation markets, including Hybrid Electric
Vehicles (HEV), Electric Vehicles (EV) and 36/42 Volt
applications, in addition to Stationary Back-Up power
supply systems for Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS),
Telecom and Distributed Generation markets.
Cobasys is a joint venture between Chevron Technology
Ventures LLC, a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation (NYSE:
CVX) and Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER).
For more information about Cobasys, contact Ray Wagner
at 248-620-5700 or visit our website at http://www.cobasys.com.
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