Panasonic to supply lithium-ion battery cells for Ford’s hybrid vehicles

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Panasonic Corp will supply lithium-ion battery cells for Ford Motor Co’s hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The upcoming models of the Ford Fusion Hybrid Electric andnC-Max Hybrid Electric as well as the Ford Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrids will use Panasonic battery cells in combination with a gasoline engine.

With growing environmental concerns and escalating oil prices, demand for rechargeablenbatteries for eco-friendly vehicles is expected to grow rapidly. Panasonic is building up its battery business to meet such demand.

The company is already supplying nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery cells and systems for hybrid electric vehicles to a growing number of automotive manufactuers around the world, including Ford as well as lithium-ion battery cells and systems for hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.

The lithium-ion battery supply agreement with Ford builds on a long-term partnership between the two companies. Sanyo Electric Co, which was acquired by Panasonic last year, has been supplying Ni-MH battery systems for the Ford Escape hybrid vehicle since 2004. The company’s battery systems have been powering the Ford Escape Hybrid, and the company’s battery cells have been powering the Ford Fusion Hybrid, and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

The partnership now expands to lithium-ion battery cells for the four Ford hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. Battery cells are delivered in cell stack configurationto increase transportation efficiency and reliability.