Cobasys Confirms Production Contract for 2008 Chevrolet Malibu ...

Chevrolet - Cobasys Confirms Production Contract for 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Sedan

... ORION, MI, March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cobasys, a leading supplier of advanced integrated energy storage solutions, today confirmed that they have been chosen to provide their NiMHax(R) 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 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Sedan 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(R)battery system, leading to substantial fuel economy gains.

Both Saturn Green Line vehicles and the 2008 Chevrolet 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(R) 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 it 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, manufactures and integrates advanced battery system solutions featuring Nickel Metal Hydride for transportation markets, including Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV), Electric Vehicles (EV) and 36/42 Volt applications and to stationary markets, including 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 www.cobasys.com

Source: Cobasys

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