February 08, 1999 11:04
Electric Fuel Corp. to Sell Batteries On-Line
- Internet Sales to be Instituted for Both Cellular Telephone Batteries and Lifejacket Lights -
NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric Fuel Corporation (Nasdaq: EFCX) today announced that two of its business divisions would soon start selling products over the Internet.
The Company's Consumer Batteries Division will undertake on-line sales of its new line of disposable batteries for cellular telephones from Electric Fuel's web site (www.electric-fuel.com). Starting in May, the on-line sales will target individual users, who will be able to get batteries delivered directly to their homes, offices or hotel rooms.
By the end of this month, Electric Fuel's Safety Products Division will start Internet sales of its line of Lifejacket lights powered by the Company's water activated batteries. The on-line sales will be targeted primarily at marine equipment retailers and commercial boat operators, along with the general and business aviation markets. Two models of marine Lifejacket lights, with US Coast Guard and SOLAS approvals, will be offered, along with two models of aviation Lifejacket lights, both offering FAA certification.
Customer fulfillment services in the cellular market will be provided initially by InTouch USA, a Chantilly, VA, based provider of cellular telephone rentals. Electric Fuel and InTouch collaborated previously in an 'alpha testing' and customer survey program to obtain data from potential end users regarding the new zinc-air cellular phone batteries.
Electric Fuel will offer for on-line sale a multi-pack of 3 batteries, so that users can always have a back-up battery on hand. Availability will gradually expand to include 2,900 mAh batteries for the Motorola MicroTAC, for the Nokia 5100 and 6100 series, and for the Ericsson 200, 300, 600 and 800 series. The line also includes a 2900 mAh auxiliary battery for the Motorola StarTAC series, and a 4500 mAh ultra-capacity model for the Motorola MicroTAC series.
These revolutionary zinc-air batteries come fully charged and ready to use right out of the pack. The batteries have exceptionally high energy capacity and can provide up to 3 to 4 times more talk time than comparable rechargeable batteries. The Electric Fuel zinc-air batteries are particularly well suited for frequent travelers who will be able to leave their chargers behind. They are also ideal for power users who depend on cellular phones for business, and they provide a convenient back-up solution as well.
The new product line will be shown at the Wireless '99 CTIA Convention and Exposition, taking place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, from February 8-10. The Electric Fuel booth (#3877) is featuring the entire new line of zinc-air disposable batteries for cellular phones. As previously announced, Electric Fuel recently signed a three-year battery distribution agreement with Wireless Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary company of TESSCO Technologies (Nasdaq: TESS). The agreement allows Wireless Solutions to merchandise Electric Fuel's new line of zinc-air cellular phone batteries in the United States.
"Internet sales of our disposable batteries is a perfect match for cellular users," said Yehuda Harats, President and Chief Executive Officer of Electric Fuel. "They will get the advantages of low-cost, extended talk time in a ready-to-use battery, coupled with the convenience of 24-hour on-line ordering and direct delivery."
NOTE: This press release contains forward-looking statements. There are certain important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made above as set forth in the Company's annual report on Form 1O-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997. Among, but not limited to these factors, are the stage of development of the Company's products, the uncertainty of the market for lifejacket lights and cellular telephone batteries, and significant future capital requirements.
SOURCE Electric Fuel Corporation
/CONTACT: Mike Greece or Tracy Paurowski, both of G.S. Schwartz & Co.,
212-725-4500; or Jonathan Whartman, Booth #3877 at CTIA Wireless '99, New
Orleans/
/Web site: electric-fuel.com |
