To: Tom Allinder who wrote (7323 ) 6/18/2000 10:03:00 AM From: TOPFUEL Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 11130
ECAR looks like a good candidate for a fuel cell technology play in the future .. The Company's business activities are focused on the development of electric and hybrid electric drive-trains and related components, fuel cell systems, vehicle systems integration and the performance of various engineering contracts. The Company has several key contracts with the U. S. Government's Defense Advanced Research Project Agency or DARPA and the Department of Transportation or DOT, including the analysis of a new plastic lithium ion vehicle battery concept, testing of advanced vehicle batteries and development of an airport electric passenger tram system. The Company has enhanced its relationship with Hyundai Motor Company of Korea, the world's seventh largest automobile manufacturer, with several engineering contracts to design, develop and test electric and hybrid electric drive systems and related products. Hyundai Motor Company has contracted with the Company for the development of an advanced charging unit and a parallel hybrid production vehicle, as well as continuing to produce the family of Panthertm drive system for their electric vehicles. This hybrid contract follows the completion of a development program between our companies that resulted in a parallel-hybrid system for Hyundai's hybrid-electric concept. The Company is extending the PantherTM drive system to hybrid vehicle applications in projects sponsored by Hyundai. These hybrid systems will be applied to light, medium and heavy duty transportation vehicles. The Company offers other components such as air conditioning, heat pump units, electro-hydraulic power steering units and battery management units to Original Equipment Manufacturers or OEMs, both domestic and international. The Company has also developed a high power charger for use with its drive systems. HMC has adapted a customized version of the PantherTM 60 for their production electric vehicle. The Company is offering the modular drive systems to Original Equipment Manufacturers or OEMs and other customers. These drive systems have been installed in various vehicles. The Company is developing low voltage electric drive system components for use by a major North American automotive manufacturer. The Company is pursuing various avenues of revenue generation to increase its cash flow. These include further developing its relationship with the Hyundai Group, joint venturing with global vehicle and bus manufacturers to utilize its electric drive train system, and developing a comprehensive marketing plan to penetrate various alternate niche markets for its drive system and its components. The Company is further looking at non-automotive applications for its products. The Company has begun to explore international ventures with customers in the United Kingdom and Italy. Furthermore, the Company intends to develop a three-car tram for the airport and recreation industries utilizing its Panther 120 drive system. The Company has been awarded a contract with the U.S. Department of Transportation to design and test this tram system.