Johnson Controls-Saft wins BMW’s contract for lithium-ion batteries

Johnson Controls-Saft will be providing lithium-ion batteries for BMW’s 7 Series ActiveHybrid car, currently being showcased at the Paris motor show. Lithium-ion batteries are 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than NiMH batteries used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) on the road today.

The lithium-ion cells and modules will be produced at the Johnson Controls-Saft production facility in Nersac, France. The facility, which is the world’s first production facility for lithium-ion batteries for HEVs, opened in January 2008 and is scalable as demand increases.

“Johnson Controls-Saft is delighted to announce this contract with BMW for our lithium-ion technology. This contract consolidates our leading position in lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles,” said Mary Ann Wright who leads the joint venture and is vice president and general manager of Johnson Controls’ hybrid battery business.

Johnson Controls-Saft is a joint venture that has brought together Johnson Controls — the world’s leading supplier of automotive batteries and a company deeply experienced in integrated automotive systems solutions — with Saft, world leader in high technology batteries with extensive Li-ion battery expertise.

This contract is the second lithium-ion production contract for Johnson Controls-Saft. Additionally, the company has multiple development contracts underway for lithium-ion batteries for HEVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

5 Responses to “Johnson Controls-Saft wins BMW’s contract for lithium-ion batteries”

Artmic says:

October 15, 2008 at 12:25 am

how about they lower the prices by 10% instead

Lee says:

October 15, 2008 at 8:22 am

I’m not entirely sure what the point of a hybrid 7 is…?

Is it for tax breaks?

Is it so you can shut the hippies up?

Is it so you can be hip and trendy by slapping a “Hybrid” badge on your execu-mobile?

I don’t get it.

maldita says:

October 15, 2008 at 8:37 pm

i don’t get it either… what’s the point of having a hybrid anyway?

Lee says:

October 16, 2008 at 8:11 am

@maldita:
I understand the point of hybrids. I’m sure people whose primary commute is nothing but stop-and-go traffic benefit greatly from them when it’s used in conjunction with an economical 4 banger.

That being said, though, aren’t both of the new 7’s going to be twin turbo? The TT V8 out of the 550i and a TT v12 for the 760? Not exactly my idea of economical, even though I’m sure they’ll be moderately efficient (for their type of engine).

Clara says:

October 16, 2008 at 8:57 pm

It *is* curious that they’re using this on a high-end model whose owners are probably less concerned with saving money on gas. And why did they demonstrate their hydrogen technology in a 7 as well? Wouldn’t both have been a more effective demonstration on either a 1-series (max efficiency) or SUV (reverse the stereotype) ?

Perhaps there is a demographic which is both status-oriented and nervous about of all the ecological/economical/geopolicital stuff. Or, perhaps they aim to make one by remarketing hybrid electric technology as a premium feature. In this case, that’s probably centered around it’s use for enhancing performance (in addition to economy) and driving experience, which is BMW’s mark. If they can deliver on this, they can undo any untimely association with wasteful extravagance, and realign the brand’s “sophistication” as skillfully achieving both performance and efficiency. In a way, it protects the luxury segment, and maybe that trumps other concerns in their thinking.