Germany Fertile Ground for Automotive Battery Manufacturers

BERLIN, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive batteries is one of the major
topics in the global auto industry. This is because energy storage is crucial
in developing low emission powertrains using hybrid or fully electric
technologies. According to the consultancy Advanced Auto Batteries, global
growth in automotive batteries has increased more than ten-fold over the last
six years and the global market will likely approach US$1.4 billion by 2010
and $2 billion by 2013. Growth in hybrids is especially strong in Germany,
where registrations increased 44 percent in 2007. Business opportunities in
Germany will be presented at the Advanced Automotive Battery and
Ultracapacitator Conference, AABC 2008, May 14-16th in Tampa, Florida, USA.
Major German automakers are working to develop new battery-powered
drivetrains for which a reliable and long-lasting means of storing energy is
essential. German OEMs are scheduled to release nine initial hybrid model
series by 2010. These manufacturers encompass major players such as Daimler,
BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, and Opel.
Daimler holds 25 patents in lithium-ion battery technologies and is
planning to integrate such batteries into its hybrid S-class Mercedes models
by 2009. The supplier Continental is serving as Daimler's system integrator
and battery supplier.
Other industry leaders such as BASF, Bosch, Evonik, and Volkswagen have
joined forces under the "Lithium Ion Battery LIB 2015" innovation alliance.
They are investing EUR360 million in coming years in research and development
of lithium-ion batteries. The German Federal Ministry of Education and
Research (BMBF) is contributing EUR60 million toward this effort, as part of
the federal government's "high-tech strategy." Over a ten-year period, the
federal government will provide EUR1.1 billion to applied research on
automotive electronics, lithium-ion batteries, lightweight construction, and
other automotive applications.
The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has recently
launched a joint initiative among all the participating branches of industry,
research institutes, and the BMBF to develop industry standards and a common
base for future research in alternative storage systems. Opportunities exist
for foreign investors to establish their own facilities in Germany, partner
with German OEMs or suppliers, and apply for research funding.
Invest in Germany is the inward investment promotion agency of the
Federal Republic of Germany. It provides investors with comprehensive support
from site selection to the implementation of investment decisions. Invest in
Germany can be found at stand 44 during the AABC 2008.
Invest in Germany GmbH Headquarters:

Friedrichstasse 60
10117 Berlin
Germany
T: +49-30-200-099-0
F: +49-30-200-099-111
office@invest-in-germany.com
http://www.invest-in-germany.com

Media Contact
Eva Henkel
T: +49-30-200-099-123
F: +49-30-200-099-111
henkel@invest-in-germany.com

SOURCE Invest in Germany

Invest in Germany GmbH Headquarters: Friedrichstasse 60, 10117 Berlin,
Germany, T: +49-30-200-099-0, F: +49-30-200-099-111,
office@invest-in-germany.com, http://www.invest-in-germany.com; Media Contact:
Eva Henkel, T: +49-30-200-099-123, F: +49-30-200-099-111,
henkel@invest-in-germany.com