Tuesday October 19, 2:29 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Kline & Company, Inc.
Opportunities for Fuel Cells in Automotive
Applications Driving Major Development Efforts
LITTLE FALLS, N.J., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The global automotive industry may be on the threshold of sweeping
transformation as a result of the rapid development in fuel cell technology. ''Fuel cells have the potential to replace the internal
combustion engine and could provide a quantum leap to the manner in which power is generated in automobiles. This in turn
will present major opportunities for and have an enormous impact on suppliers of key materials and components to both fuel
cell producers and automotive OEMs,'' according to Michael Corbett, Project Manager at Kline & Company, Inc., a Little
Falls, New Jersey-based management consulting firm.
Based on preliminary findings from a study currently under way at Kline & Company entitled THE GLOBAL OUTLOOK
FOR FUEL CELLS IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS, 1999 - 2009, Daimler-Benz has committed to 30,000 fuel cell
vehicles in 2004 and 100,000 fuel cell vehicles in 2005. Toyota, Nissan, and Honda have also already committed to having a
commercial product in 2003. While California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandates have driven the demand for hybrid
electric vehicles (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States, consumer demand is driving innovation in Germany
and Switzerland.
Despite the enormous potential, the commercialization of fuel cells continues to require development progress. ''Fuel cells have
already exceeded long-term research targets for weight and volume,'' according to Bob Rose, executive director of the U.S.
Fuel Cell Council. ''A factor-of-ten reduction is still required,'' predicts Rose, ''to make fuel cell engines competitive with mass
produced gasoline engines for passenger cars.''
Recognition of the potential and benefits of this technology has led to unique market partnerships and created a deluge of
research activity. Commercial and academic establishments aim to reduce the cost of fuel cells and create a competitive
advantage over conventional engines. Such benefits as reduced emissions, high efficiency, and low noise generation will address
environmental concerns as well as government legislation issues.
THE GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR FUEL CELLS IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS, 1999 - 2009 is a comprehensive
report assessing the market potential for fuel cells in automotive applications. It focuses specifically on the impact of
technological developments, and analyzes potential market opportunities in emerging automotive platforms as well as reviews
such commercial issues as market timing and barriers to entry. This study will provide long-term forecasts for the demand of
fuel cells and a detailed assessment of global forecasts by geographical regions, including North America, Western Europe, and
Japan. Finally, it will review the key success factors and demand forecasts and provide an opportunity assessment for
automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), fuel cell producers, and materials suppliers looking to compete in this
industry.
Established in 1959, Kline & Company, Inc. is a leading business consulting firm serving the electronics, specialty chemical,
and materials industries worldwide. Over the last ten years, Kline has completed numerous projects related to advanced
electrochemical systems, materials, and applications, focusing on both market opportunities and future materials needs.
Kline's new study, THE GLOBAL OUTLOOK FOR FUEL CELLS IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS, 1999 - 2009,
is due to be published in the fourth quarter of 2000. For information on how to subscribe to the study, contact Michael Corbett
directly at Kline & Company, Inc., Overlook at Great Notch, 150 Clove Road, Little Falls, NJ, 07424, at 973-435-3457, or
via e-mail at Mike_Corbett@klinegroup.com. For a complete list of syndicated studies available from Kline & Company, Inc.,
please visit their Web site at klinegroup.com or contact Lynn A. Gillette, Sales Coordinator, Syndicated Studies, at
973-435-3448 or via e-mail at Lynn_Gillette@klinegroup.com.
SOURCE: Kline & Company, Inc.
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