Johnson Controls and Saft Launch Joint Venture

Johnson Controls and Saft have a joint venture to supply advanced-technology batteries for current- and future-generation hybrid-electric vehicles and electric vehicles. The official start-up of the new joint venture was announced in January at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

The venture is involved worldwide in the exclusive development, production and sale of nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries for HEVs and EVs. Johnson Controls and Saft are combining their teams within existing locations and plan to develop state-of-the-art manufacturing sites based on market demand. The companies are also combining their sales and marketing resources in order to address this fast-growing market.

“This new organization represents a significant step forward for our companies and the automotive industry overall,” says Gregg Sherrill, group vice president and general manager of Johnson Controls.

“The benefits of the combined resources of our two companies give us confidence that we will achieve significant market breakthroughs in the next 12 months,” says John Searle, Saft CEO.