ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Sakti3, Inc., an Ann Arbor-based developer of next-generation lithium-ion batteries, today announced the investment of $4.2M by General Motors Ventures and Itochu Technology Ventures to advance the firm’s manufacturing capabilities. The companies also plan to work together to speed commercialization of Sakti3 battery cells. The two, new strategic investors join previous investors Khosla Ventures and Beringea.

“These investments by General Motors Ventures and Itochu Technology Ventures bring us not only capital, but partnerships that will speed our commercialization efforts,” said Dr. Ann Marie Sastry, CEO of Sakti3. “Our product planning in the automotive and portables sectors will be accelerated by working with these two preeminent firms. The General Motors agreement partners us with a company that is clearly a global leader in vehicle electrification. Itochu Technology Ventures has a strong focus on energy technologies, and on growth markets in Asia. We’re very pleased to have engaged investors who will help us purposefully and quickly create our target products and address key regional markets.”

“GM Ventures is making strategic investments in new technology to support our core automotive business,” said Jon Lauckner, president GM Ventures, LLC. “Our objective is to identify start-up companies that offer the best future technology for our vehicles, including next generation propulsion systems. In this case, our investment in Sakti3 gives us access to an innovative battery technology that has the potential to be a mainstream solution for electrically-driven cars and trucks of the future.”

“Today’s announcement is the latest piece of strong evidence that many U.S. companies, and especially Michigan companies, are thriving as the auto industry moves toward a future of technologically advanced energy-efficient vehicles, said Senator Carl Levin (D-MI). “The investment in Sakti3’s lithium ion technology by GM is a major additional step forward. Sakti3’s solid-state advanced lithium ion battery technology offers tremendous potential for powering the next generation of electric drive vehicles in the U.S. and around the world. ”

Regrowth of manufacturing in Michigan is a high priority in the State. Said Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), “As we grow America’s auto industry, Sakti3 is a great example of how we can bring together our expertise in manufacturing and academia to create new opportunities and new jobs. I am pleased to partner with Sakti3, and I look forward to seeing the results of this new partnership with GM.”

Source: http://www.gm.com/corporate/news-and-events/

Japan Automobile Directory

Automobile Dealers in Japan, Automobile Distributors in Japan, Automobile Exporters in Japan, Automobile Importers in Japan, Automobile Manufacturers in Japan, Automobile Suppliers in Japan, Autos for Sale from Japan, Mitsubishi Autos for Sale from Japan, Nissan Autos for Sale from Japan, Isuzu Autos for Sale from Japan, Toyota Autos for Buy from Japan, Mazda Autos for Buy from Japan, Scania Autos for Buy from Japan, Honda Autos for Buy from Japan, Subaru Autos for Buy from Japan, Suzuki Autos for Buy from Japan, Alfa Romeo Vehicles for Sale, Chrysler Vehicles for Sale, Daihatsu Vehicles for Sale, Mercedes Vehicles for Sale, BMW Vehicles for Sale from Japan, Iseki Vehicles for Sale from Japan

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation will hold the global unveiling of the all-new Mazda BT-50 compact pickup truck at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show during a press conference on Friday, October 15, 2010. The show will be opened to the public from 5 p.m. on Friday, October 15, and the all-new BT-50 will hold pride of place on the Mazda stand until the show closes on Sunday, October 24.

The all-new Mazda BT-50 is presented as an “active lifestyle vehicle” that overturns the conventional image of a compact pickup truck with modern and refined styling.

The new model was developed from the ground up as a brand new type of vehicle. As well as strength and dependability, the all-new BT-50 presents universally recognizable beauty and provides the perfect solution for a wide range of customers who lead active lifestyles, including families, workers, and pleasure-seekers. The exterior design features crisp lines that owners will look on with pride; an imposing presence that indicates reliability; sculptured beauty like an athlete’s finely muscled body; and sporty and dynamic forms. By balancing all these elements, the athletic and individual design gives the all-new BT-50 an overwhelming presence that turns heads and makes it instantly recognizable.

The styling of the all-new Mazda BT-50 increases anticipation of the driving pleasure to come and represents a new direction in the compact pickup truck market.

Source: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2010/201009/100913a.html

Japan Automobile Directory

Automobile Dealers in Japan, Automobile Distributors in Japan, Automobile Exporters in Japan, Automobile Importers in Japan, Automobile Manufacturers in Japan, Automobile Suppliers in Japan, Autos for Sale from Japan, Mitsubishi Autos for Sale from Japan, Nissan Autos for Sale from Japan, Isuzu Autos for Sale from Japan, Toyota Autos for Buy from Japan, Mazda Autos for Buy from Japan, Scania Autos for Buy from Japan, Honda Autos for Buy from Japan, Subaru Autos for Buy from Japan, Suzuki Autos for Buy from Japan, Alfa Romeo Vehicles for Sale, Chrysler Vehicles for Sale, Daihatsu Vehicles for Sale, Mercedes Vehicles for Sale, BMW Vehicles for Sale from Japan, Iseki Vehicles for Sale from Japan

Ludwigsfelde – The Mercedes-Benz plant in Ludwigsfelde has every reason to celebrate: Today, following 45 years of production, the one millionth commercial vehicle rolled off its assembly line. The milestone vehicle is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. More than 2,000 employees, political officials, and businesspeople took part in the ceremony at the plant and witnessed the official handover of the milestone vehicle to the Berlin Landesverkehrswacht traffic safety organization. And there’s something extra special about this milestone: That’s because the one millionth commercial vehicle from Ludwigsfelde is equipped with the one millionth engine produced at the nearby Mercedes-Benz plant in Berlin.

“Our plant has had a very eventful history and things have not always been easy,” said Michael Humpert, Plant Manager and Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Ludwigsfeld GmbH. “That’s why we are particularly happy that we can jointly celebrate this production milestone today. I would therefore like to thank our employees for their dedication.”

A brief film clip was shown during the ceremony enabling the guests to relive the plant’s 45-year history. In his address, Mayor Frank Gerhard of Ludwigsfelde congratulated the plant and highlighted the facility’s great importance for the region. Further speakers were Dr. Heinrich Weiss, Head of Production at Mercedes-Benz Vans and a former manager of the plant, and Lothar Heinzmann, a former director of the IFA combine. Seven vehicles were exhibited during the celebration as representatives of all the various model series that have been produced in Ludwigsfelde to date.

Source: http://media.daimler.com/

Japan Automobile Directory

Automobile Dealers in Japan, Automobile Distributors in Japan, Automobile Exporters in Japan, Automobile Importers in Japan, Automobile Manufacturers in Japan, Automobile Suppliers in Japan, Autos for Sale from Japan, Mitsubishi Autos for Sale from Japan, Nissan Autos for Sale from Japan, Isuzu Autos for Sale from Japan, Toyota Autos for Buy from Japan, Mazda Autos for Buy from Japan, Scania Autos for Buy from Japan, Honda Autos for Buy from Japan, Subaru Autos for Buy from Japan, Suzuki Autos for Buy from Japan, Alfa Romeo Vehicles for Sale, Chrysler Vehicles for Sale, Daihatsu Vehicles for Sale, Mercedes Vehicles for Sale, BMW Vehicles for Sale from Japan, Iseki Vehicles for Sale from Japan

General Motors today formally delivered to the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo two Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo important VIP service. This further confirms the delivery ceremony, General Motors is committed to achieving the vision of sustainable development, urban transport, and to show the Shanghai World Expo “Better City, Better Life” theme tireless efforts.

Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will join the Expo VIP cars recently become a fertile blue Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicles up to, 350 Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid hybrid taxi Expo, as well as in the Steam Group – General Motors museum display EN-V electric network concept, common to visitors from around the world demonstrate the advantages of electric vehicles and broad prospects for development. Meanwhile, the four models reflect the full range of General Motors is committed to the development of electric technology, and through a range of solutions to achieve sustainable urban transport development commitments.

Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen fuel cell vehicles a symbol of General Motors hydrogen fuel cell technology in the field of a milestone. Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen fuel cell vehicles equipped with GM’s most advanced fourth-generation hydrogen fuel cell technology, is a truly “zero fuel consumption and zero pollution” full-featured cross-border vehicle. It does not emit any exhaust, its only emission is water. Shanghai World Expo as a VIP car, the Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will come from the government, automobile industry and academic circles show the advantages of hydrogen fuel cell technology, and promote sustainable development of all traffic on the discussion of the future.

General Motors in the U.S., Europe and Asia provided more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for more than 80,000 from New York, Washington and Los Angeles, routine testing of volunteers, the accumulated mileage has more than 1 million miles . Through the “driveway plan (Project Driveway)” the world’s largest hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market model run activities, General Motors continued daily use from the user to collect a large amount of valuable data and feedback that reflects the new GM Energy’s strong sense of cutting-edge technologies.

Source: http://media.gmchina.com/media/cn/zh/news.brand_gm.html/

Japan Automobile Directory

Automobile Dealers in Japan, Automobile Distributors in Japan, Automobile Exporters in Japan, Automobile Importers in Japan, Automobile Manufacturers in Japan, Automobile Suppliers in Japan, Autos for Sale from Japan, Mitsubishi Autos for Sale from Japan, Nissan Autos for Sale from Japan, Isuzu Autos for Sale from Japan, Toyota Autos for Buy from Japan, Mazda Autos for Buy from Japan, Scania Autos for Buy from Japan, Honda Autos for Buy from Japan, Subaru Autos for Buy from Japan, Suzuki Autos for Buy from Japan, Alfa Romeo Vehicles for Sale, Chrysler Vehicles for Sale, Daihatsu Vehicles for Sale, Mercedes Vehicles for Sale, BMW Vehicles for Sale from Japan, Iseki Vehicles for Sale from Japan