The agreement requires A123 to use its cells to develop a customized battery pack that it will provide to Advanced Traction Battery Systems (ATBS), the joint venture established between A123 and SAIC Motor, for production.
In addition to this electric passenger car, A123 currently supplies battery technology to SAIC for several of its other electric drive-train vehicles in development, including the Roewe 750 hybrid electric sedan and the Roewe 550 plug-in hybrid electric sedan.
Through ATBS that focuses on developing, manufacturing and selling complete vehicle traction battery systems in China including the technology for SAIC’s new EV and several of SAIC’s other programs , A123 Systems hopes to cater to the booming Chinese EV industry.
SAIC general manager of new energy vehicle division Jun Zhu said that A123’s advanced battery systems deliver increased safety, extended life and exceptional overall performance, which is why we have selected them for our new electric passenger car.
“We remain committed to producing a complete line of automobiles to support the government’s new energy vehicle initiative, and we expect to continue to expand our partnership with A123 and ATBS as key suppliers for current and future programs,” Zhu said.
