Honda and GS Yuasa

Honda and GS Yuasa

Honda president described a joint venture with GS Yuasa lithium battery development to promote the whole story

Honda and GS Yuasa (GS Yuasa) announced that they have to set up a joint venture of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries have reached a basic agreement. Honda president Takeo Fukui said at a press conference, "in the current critical situation, to further accelerate the development of advanced environmental technologies, and offer attractive merchandise to customers is the key to survival." Fukui and GS Yuasa explains the common reasons for setting up a new company, and pointed out that the short term will not change the number of battery suppliers to the situation; GS Yuasa frankly stated that the new president Yi Tian Cheng and GS Yuasa joint venture with Mitsubishi joint ventures do not conflict, and is expected to achieve synergies.

Q: When will the new lithium battery, at what scale production? The current investment amount? Want to first apply to the new lithium battery which models? Toyota and Panasonic have set up a joint venture company "Panasonic EV Energy" Ltd., Nissan Motor and NEC has also set up "Automotive Energy Supply", Honda's action seems a bit late. This new company will be inherent?

Fukui: investment, the Honda plans 15 billion yen investment (about 168 million U.S. dollars) for about half of the registered capital. Since the spring of 2009 in Japan, North America and European launch of the new hybrid Insight uses nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries and other reasons, it is hard to say please a new battery production time and application of models, but we will put into operation as soon as possible The goal, I believe that we will not fall behind other companies.

Reporter: When to start thinking about setting up a new company? In addition, Honda had a number of supplier companies are purchasing from the battery, after the establishment of the new company is to plan it? Consider whether lithium batteries for fuel cell vehicles and other environmentally friendly car?

Takeo Fukui: Honda of many programs in recent years. And GS Yuasa battery business, beginning a few years ago has carried out its business in the lithium battery. In addition, the latest "ASIMO" is used to provide a dedicated GS Yuasa lithium heap. If farther back, motorcycle batteries is our common and GS Yuasa joint development, the two companies have business dealings from the early years. About setting up a new company from 1 year ago (late 2007) began to discuss specific issues. The just released in such an environment, we did not expect the global economy should there be such a big change, but even if the financial crisis will not occur at this time announced.

About the future business development, we plan to be the initial stage of hybrid system for the Honda "IMA (Integrated Motor Assist)" as the goal of promoting cell development, the project will have the exclusive products in a short time to develop. After that the business will be done in consultation with GS Yuasa.

In addition, the currently used nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries from Sanyo and Matsushita purchased the two companies, and will continue to purchase from the two companies.

The original intention of the new company's goal is the achievement of course, the competitiveness of the world's first commodity, but one of the joint venture partner Honda will still be the battery buyers. Honda will be on the Q (quality) C (cost) D (delivery) decided to assess whether the joint venture to purchase the battery products. From the results point of view, if the new company all products (lithium batteries) can be used by Honda, it certainly is the best.

Q: Honda has repeatedly said earlier, the technology is still in the process of development of the car battery, the best purchase from a number of companies. To wait until the future prospects, and only after a look at a company. The cooperation with GS Yuasa mean that the technology landscape is clear?
Fukui: Generally speaking, the current battery there is still much room for development, I think the future may also be many new concepts battery. While looking forward to this, but the most practical solution at this stage, or lithium batteries, therefore, we believe that battery manufacturers and automotive companies to develop is the fastest way to implement goals.

Reporter: GS Yuasa and Mitsubishi Motors has been with Mitsubishi formed a joint venture company "Lithium Energy Japan". How do you intend to approach to distinguish between the two (joint venture) company's battery development?

Yi Tian Cheng: The new company set up with the Honda hybrids will be lithium battery research and development and production and sales of the company running. The Lithium Energy Japan is engaged in electric cars lithium battery business of the company. Product line is obvious. Of course, a clear division of the company will also develop, manufacture and development of production sectors. But the long view, many are expected to achieve synergies.

Reporter: GS Yuasa how to treat a number of car manufacturers and the strategy? In addition, just now you mentioned that a clear distinction between use and hybrid electric vehicles using lithium batteries, exactly where the difference between the two?

Yi Tian Cheng: electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles with lithium battery manufacturers are not separate from the development, and then to the car manufacturers "use" of goods. But should be on the car's driving pattern and configuration and other conditions were "special order." In other words, the battery will start from the design stage in consultation with the automotive manufacturers, and must be jointly developed by both products. Accordingly, the Company jointly set up the production of hybrid and Honda's new lithium battery is an inevitable trend. Of course, the future may arise due to the changing times in different ways, but at this stage with the Honda or Mitsubishi Motors to jointly develop the most natural form.

In addition, hybrid electric vehicles using lithium batteries used and the difference is that the former only the battery power source, so battery capacity must be larger. Which the power source for the battery and engine, so no great capacity, but because the output power during acceleration and deceleration of the electric power regeneration, to be very frequent charge and discharge. Therefore, the hybrid with a lithium battery capacity is small, but it must be good for the battery charge and discharge performance. These factors determine the content of their development are different.

Reporter: Honda may also take stake in GS Yuasa method. Why choose a joint venture?

Fukui: I think there is not much meaningful stake. In addition, the establishment of a new company in the battery business, so by holding the battery manufacturer GS Yuasa most, holding a small semi-Honda is the best form of joint venture (joint venture production time to prepare for the spring of 2009, is headquartered in the GS Yuasa Kyoto headquarters, the site also GS Yuasa Fukuchiyama mayor of the field-cho production base, holding the ratio of GS Yuasa 51%: Honda 49%, the joint venture's business is described as "lithium-ion battery production, sales and R & D "- Editor's Note.)

Reporter: Panasonic acquisition of Sanyo Electric to bring the new company set up what are the implications?

Fukui: I see by the newspaper on the Sanyo Electric Matsushita implemented TOB (the stock tender offer) of the message. GS Yuasa and we long ago began to consider setting up a new company. Therefore not affected.

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