INFORMATION
Contact: Lance Lamberton - USA For Immediate Release
(817) 777-4100 February 2, 1998
Pavel Kuccra, Czech Republic
2487 2691-5
LOCKHEED MARTIN FACILITIES CONTRACT SIGNING
BAT International and SKODA ELCAR sign letter of intent to develop electric and super-efficient vehicles
PRAGUE - SKODA ELCAR Ejpovice (a part of SKODA Pilsen Group) and Battery Automated Transportation (BAT) International, a U.S.
company, today signed a letter of agreeing to a set of cooperative activities for the purpose of developing and producing super-efficient
vehicles for the world market.
The two parties were brought together by Lockheed Martin as part of their industrial cooperation or "offset" activities in the Czech Republic.
Lockheed Martin's industrial cooperation or "offset" activities are designed to balance the acquisition costs of its products, resulting in job
creation, investment, technology transfer and export promotion across the entire Czech economy.
The main elements of the agreement are:
1.BAT will provide SKODA CAR with long life, low cost, nickel metal hydride batteries for electric and hybrid electric vehicles. By combining
fiber nickel electrode technology with BAT proprietary SEALER technology, SKODA will be able to utilize a battery that is expected to last
more than 12 years, with zero maintenance and a life cycle cost of approximately .85Kc per km (4 cents per mile).
2.BAT will provide engine technology to SKODA ELCAR that can improve vehicle fuel efficiency in an internal combustion engine by
approximately 40 percent, resulting in a fuel economy of approximately 33 kilometers per litre (100 miles/gallon)
3.BAT will provide SKODA ELCAR with engine technology that's expected to to extend the range of an electric vehicle to 480-500
kilometers (300-312 miles)
4.BAT will provide to SKODA ELCAR electric and hybrid electric systems designed to meet high efficiency goals, long drive system life and
stringent safety standards.
5.BAT will work with SKODA ELCAR in putting together one or two vehicles with BAT hybrid electric or super-efficient drive systems for
evaluation and use in demonstration activities.
"Even in the absence of a contact from the Czech Government to Lockheed Martin or a pre-award offset banking agreement, Lockheed Martin
has succeeded bringing together the best U.S. Transportation Technologies to the Czech Republic for use in 21st century vehicles," said Karl
Kleinmond, the Managing Director of SKODA ELCAR. "As a result of cutting edge engine and electric/hybrid electric drive systems provided by
BAT SKODA ELCAR will be able to compete aggressively throughout Europe and other global markets."
Joe LaStella, President of BAT said: "Lockheed Martin and BAT will provide assistance in seeking strategic partners, customers, and funding
to expand vehicle manufacturing activities. The combination of advanced technology; strategic partnerships and international financing will
place SKODA ELCAR in an important position as an advanced transportation technology leader. Moreover, a whole new generation of
super-clean and efficient vehicle technologies will be available to overcome Czech and global air quality problems at a time when world leaders
are debating reduction on future Carbon Monoxide emissions." |
