Battery power

Johnson Controls and Saft have are to form a joint venture to develop develop, manufacture and sell nickel metal hydride and lithium ion batteries.

Johnson Controls

and

Saft

have are to form a joint venture to develop develop, manufacture and sell nickel metal hydride and lithium ion batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles.

Nickel metal hydride is the technology used in hybrid vehicles today, but lithium ion technology is expected to become the preferred hybrid battery technology in the future due to its smaller size and increased power.

The companies expect the joint venture agreement to be finalised in early 2006 and will commence joint sales and marketing activities immediately thereafter.