batteries are seen as key to electric market power - 3.7 volt rechargeable lithium ion battery

As the car moves from the piston to the electronics, the world of cars is stepping on the accelerator.
At the Detroit auto show this week, almost all major automakers, including General MotorsFord Motor Company.
And Toyota Motor Corp.
Announced plans to develop more electric vehicles.
But in terms of charging time, range and 0-to-
An important business problem is emerging.
Many industry experts say it will completely change the face of the automotive industry: who made the battery?
"Batteries are critical," said Larry Burns, head of R & D and strategic planning for GM . ".
Burns argued that because the battery is the most expensive
Technical components in electric vehicles, companies that produce batteries-
Rather than steel frames that can be welded together most effectively-
Could be the most powerful player in the industry.
The automotive industry is no different from the computer industry, which used to be led by hardware manufacturers, but is now dominated by software and services, Burns said.
"If you look at the major industries that have been transformed," he said, "there are not many incumbents who can be strong from this transformation.
"Such predictions are a big goal for companies like GM, Toyota and Ford.
The next car giant may be BYD. ?
The Chinese company, which controls nearly third of the world's mobile phone battery market, has recently decided to try to make cars and is now aggressively pushing forward electric traffic.
BYD released a battery on Monday.
The company says electric cars can travel 250 miles on a single charge.
It will be listed in China this year.
"We are leading the way in charging battery technology. . .
"This gives BYD a unique advantage," Wang said . "
Fu, chairman of China's Shenzhen company, hopes to introduce electric vehicles to the United States in 2011 and set up factories in the United StatesS.
Soon thereafter.
Expertise in oil
There are many old engines that may no longer determine the direction of the industry.
The company is on high alert.
This is an absolute game.
"It's changed," said David Cole, chairman of the automotive research center.
He said batteries will become so important to make sure they are produced in the United StatesS.
It will be a matter of national security.
On Monday, GM announced that it would build a special factory in the United States. S.
Just to assemble the Chevrolet Volt battery.
Range electric vehicles, will be launched by the end of next year.
In addition, GM will open its own 30,000-square-
The foot battery research center and established a research partnership with the University of Michigan.
"The supply, design and construction of batteries must be the core competencies of GM," chairman and chief executive Rick Wagner said in announcing the plan.
At present, GM will use LG Chemical Co. , Ltd, a Korean supplier
, Making lithium-ion batteries the core of Volt batteries, but automakers plan to develop their own technology in the future.
"GM is resuming its battery business," Wagner said . ".
The news prompted Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich. )
Calls for federal grants and government programs to help speed up battery development on these shores.
"We must have the ability to produce basic components in the United States. S.
Not relying on advanced technology and key building materials produced elsewhere . "
Toyota is ahead of the race.
The automaker is betting heavily on its hybrid system, which runs in part on batteries and plans to incorporate the technology into its product line in the near future.
Like several other Asian automakers, Toyota owns a stake in a battery plant.
It owns a 60% stake in Panasonic Electric Vehicle Energy.
A joint venture that makes batteries for cars such as Prius is developing advanced batteries for plug-in batteries
Toyota announced this week hybrid cars and a range of small city cars with limited scope.
Takimoto Masatami, executive vice president of R & D;
Toyota said the company realized that battery manufacturers could lose control of the industry, as well as companies that manufacture technologies used to integrate batteries with car drive systems ---
Basically software.
"I think this possibility exists," said Takimoto . ".
"Preventing this situation is the way the car manufacturer survives.
To do this, he believes, the car companies have to build up battery expertise, even if they continue to stay ahead of the brakes, dashboards and internal combustion engine technology, he says it's not dead yet
Not all companies agree with the automaker. as-battery-
However, the manufacturer strategy.
Ford said on Sunday it was working on a mid-range model. size battery-
Electric vehicles for sale in the United StatesS.
In 2011, as well as a plug-in
Hybrid power at 2012.
But unlike GM or Toyota, Ford has no plans to develop its own batteries.
Instead, it handed over these duties to Magna International.
Suppliers in Aurora, Canada.
"In an environment with limited resources, our argument is, why don't we work with people who already have the technology?
Mark Field, president of Ford America, said.
He said the company would not develop its own batteries.
Alexander Edwards, head of automotive analysis, Strategic Vision Inc.
Such a plan is considered to be less risky.
By shifting attention to the battery, he said, "GM and other companies may lock themselves too much in one solution rather than being open to various solutions . ".
Battery manufacturers seem to look at things from different angles. Peter Bahn-
GM battery development partner LG Chem's chief executive suk Kim has a big smile as he discusses the future of the automotive battery industry.
"This is a very good opportunity for profit growth," he said . "
"In the future, we may make these batteries in the United States. "--ken.
Ben Singh @ latimes.