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Microcap & Penny Stocks : Tokyo Joe's Cafe / Anything goes -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TokyoMex who wrote (4190)	4/3/1998 9:39:00 AM
From: Gerald L. Kerr	Respond to of 34592

Dow hit 9000.

To: TokyoMex who wrote (4190)	4/3/1998 10:02:00 AM
From: Israel	Respond to of 34592

BAAT News B.A.T. Forms Global Partnership for High-Volume Electric Vehicle Production in Mexico BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 1998--B.A.T. International (OTC:BAAT - news; baat.com) has joined with World Transport Authority (WTA) of El Cajon, Calif., Detech Corp. (Alberta Stock Exchange:DTK - news) of Canada and Environmental Process Advanced S.A. (E.P.A.) of Mexico to form a global partnership to enter into high-volume production of electric vehicles in Otay Mesa, Mexico, and other locations worldwide. The vehicle chassis, which is lightweight, strong, easy to manufacture and inexpensive to build, will be combined with B.A.T.'s state-of-the-art electric drive systems and advanced batteries to achieve both very low pricing targets and very competitive performance. The resulting ''Clean World Car'' (electric version) will match acceleration and speed of today's internal combustion (IC) vehicles, and it will produce zero pollution. B.A.T. has acquired worldwide exclusive rights to use the WTA chassis to build electric vehicles in all countries except the Philippines, Venezuela, Argentina and Honduras. The vehicle chassis design utilizes state-of-the-art composite technology to produce a monocoque composite frame and shell that is very strong, very safe and can carry heavy loads, while also being very light. The vehicle chassis weighs less than 1,300 pounds (including suspension and running gear), yet has a carrying capacity of more than one ton. The same production tooling can lead to three different models; a pickup truck, a delivery van and a multipassenger vehicle. B.A.T. has also obtained exclusive rights for an advanced lead acid battery for Latin America and Mexico from an Asian supplier. The batteries have approximately 20 percent higher energy density than other lead acid batteries, a long cycle life (500+) and very low costs. This will mean ''Clean World Car'' vehicles will have excellent range while still being fully competitive with costs of IC engine vehicles. Details about this agreement will be released separately in several days by B.A.T. The initial production effort will focus on the manufacturing of vehicles for the North American, Latin American and Caribbean market from the plant in Otay Mesa, which will be jointly owned by B.A.T. (40 percent), Detech (40 percent) and E.P.A. (20 percent). B.A.T. will be moving its corporate headquarters to San Diego, and is also leasing a 40,000-square-foot plant on the Mexican border. Capital contributions of approximately $500,000 have been committed to establish the showcase facility. The Mexico plant will take advantage of the low production costs available in Mexico and the duty-free shipment of products offered by NAFTA. B.A.T. plans on producing all components for the 55-vehicle order it has with a company in Barbados, from the Mexican facility. Other orders from the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America are quickly being lined up to fully utilize production capacity. The first-year production goal for electric vehicles is 1,000 units. The low production cost made possible from the unique chassis design will mean very low ''glider'' costs for incorporating electric drive systems. This means electric vehicle retail costs can finally compete with gasoline vehicles in global markets. B.A.T. will utilize the production experience and management team put together for Mexican operations to start production plants in other global sites. B.A.T. is also working with various partners in Eastern Europe, Europe and Asia in connection with Defense Industry Industrial Cooperation Programs and may consider expansion into these regions in the future. Two different versions of the ''Clean World Car'' will be unveiled at the B.A.T. open house on April 18, 1998. More than 1,000 people have confirmed to attend the B.A.T. open house.