Johnson Controls-Saft Announces Plan to Build Lithium-ion Hybrid Battery Plant in...

Johnson Controls-Saft Announces Plan to Build Lithium-ion Hybrid Battery Plant
in Michigan

LANSING, Mich., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls-Saft today announced
plans to build its first U.S. cell manufacturing facility for lithium-ion
hybrid batteries. Subject to final State and local incentives, the company
will use an existing Johnson Controls facility at its Meadowbrook 48th Street
site in Holland, Michigan.

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"Battery technology is strategically important to the future of the U.S.
automotive industry and the economy at large," said Alex Molinaroli, president
of Power Solutions for Johnson Controls. "Our first U.S. plant will bring
about 500 jobs to Michigan, and many additional jobs through suppliers and the
businesses these employees will support. It is a key element of our broader
strategy and commitment to the hybrid vehicle industry in North America."

Johnson Controls-Saft is a leading global provider of hybrid battery systems.
The company opened the world's first lithium-ion manufacturing facility for
hybrid electric vehicles in 2008 in Nersac, France, where it is currently in
production for the Mercedes S-Class hybrid, which will be available to
consumers later this year. Additionally, Johnson Controls-Saft will supply the
lithium-ion hybrid battery system for the BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid available
in 2010, Azure Dynamic's Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric for commercial vehicles
available in 2010, and Ford's first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle available
in 2012.

"This Michigan facility will allow us to serve our strategic global customers,
and specifically the production contracts we have with Ford and Azure
Dynamics. It will also allow us to serve other important customers as the
hybrid and electric vehicle industry continues to gain a foothold in the
United States," said Mary Ann Wright, who leads the Johnson Controls-Saft
joint venture and is vice president and general manager of Johnson Controls
hybrid business.

"Ford is pleased that Johnson Controls-Saft has been selected by the State of
Michigan to receive incentives," said Susan Cischke, group vice president
Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering for Ford Motor Company.
"They are well positioned to become a key manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion
batteries for electrified vehicles. We have partnered with Johnson
Controls-Saft to supply the lithium-ion batteries for our plug-in electric
vehicle coming in 2012, as part of our overall electrification strategy. We
see this as an important step to building a domestic advanced battery
industry."

The cost to renovate the Holland, Mich., facility for lithium-ion automotive
battery production is approximately $220 million. It will have an initial
capacity of 15 million lithium-ion cells.

Johnson Controls-Saft will receive a combination of tax credits and incentives
from the state of Michigan totaling $148.5 million as part of the state's
strategy to become the "advanced battery capital of the world." Michigan
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that the Michigan Economic
Growth Authority has awarded Johnson Controls-Saft a package in support of
cell manufacturing.

"Johnson Controls is an important Michigan employer with a successful
long-term relationship with the automakers," Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
said. "Their new hybrid battery plant will bring valuable jobs to the state
as well as boost our strategy to make Michigan the advanced-battery capital of
the world."

Added Molinaroli, "Johnson Controls has a long and proud history of
manufacturing in Michigan. This plant is a demonstration of our commitment to
our strong customer relationships there as well as our nearly 10,000 dedicated
employees."

The Michigan facility is an important step in Johnson Controls' continuing
commitment to build a manufacturing infrastructure for hybrid and electric
vehicles in the United States. With its demonstrated track record and the
endorsement from strategic customers such as Ford and Azure Dynamics the
company will also apply for a grant through the federal American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in May.

About Johnson Controls-Saft
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, an
advanced energy storage solutions provider with extensive Li-ion battery
expertise.

About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world specialist in the design and manufacture of
high-tech batteries for industry. Saft batteries are used in high performance
applications such as industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation,
space and defense. Saft is the world's leading manufacturer of nickel-cadmium
batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for a
wide range of end markets. The group is also the European leader for
specialized advanced technologies for the defense and space industries. With
approximately 4,000 employees worldwide, Saft is present in 18 countries. Its
15 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network enable the group to serve
its customers worldwide. Saft is listed in Paris' Stock Market. The stock is
mentioned in SBF 120 index. For more information, visit Saft at
www.saftbatteries.com

About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the
places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies,
products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the
relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000
employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our
products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and
one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our
environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and
communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For
additional information, please visit www.johnsoncontrols.com.

SOURCE Johnson Controls

Rebecca Fitzgerald of Johnson Controls, +1-414-524-2945,
Rebecca.K.Fitzgerald@jci.com; or Kona Luseni, +1-646-291-7346,
kluseni@makovsky.com, for Johnson Controls