Honda announces lithium-ion battery venture

Honda has delivered some good news after disappointing its high-performance fans this morning when it announced that it has suspended plans to built the 2010 Honda NSX. The Japanese automaker announced today that it has found a partner for lithium-ion battery development - Japan’s GS Yuasa Corp.

CEO Takeo Fukui said today that Honda will team up with GS Yuasa Corp. to manufacture next-generation lithium-ion batteries for Honda’s future hybrid vehicles. The new company will be owned 51 percent by GS Yuasa and 49 percent by Honda.

Currently Honda’s Civic Hybrid and Toyota’s Prius use

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NItePhire - 12/18/2008 10:59:17 AM

+2 Boost

Well now I know why they killed their diesels for the US as well. They are just going after a known market instead of wanting to educate the average US consumer about the benefits of diesels. Dont get me wrong I think that there obviously is a place for gas/electric hybrids and that they are a step forward, its just that alot of folks believe they and all EV's are the only step forward and this is not true. I believe that hype prevails over real world sometimes.

veyron1001 - 12/18/2008 3:20:43 PM

+1 Boost

Its quite pointless when the price of diesel is around 33% more than unleaded and while the efficiency is 33% of the gas version in mpg. It quite cancels its self out. No one will pay a premium for it.

NItePhire - 12/18/2008 10:59:35 AM

+1 Boost

Well now I know why they killed their diesels for the US as well. They are just going after a known market instead of wanting to educate the average US consumer about the benefits of diesels. Dont get me wrong I think that there obviously is a place for gas/electric hybrids and that they are a step forward, its just that alot of folks believe they and all EV's are the only step forward and this is not true. I believe that hype prevails over real world sometimes.

Whelan - 12/18/2008 11:18:20 AM

0 Boost

Doesnt Mercede's already use them.

BigShow50 - 12/18/2008 12:11:04 PM

+1 Boost

You have to keep in mind that Battery Technology is far more complex than today's diesel tech. It does not mean that Honda & even Toyota for that matter are completely kicking the diesel tech to the curb. They find they need "more time" to fund more into R&D for battery tech at his moment. And when they get the ball rolling on this, mating diesel(of what they currently know and what they should be aware of diesel tech in the near future) with this level of innovative batteries becomes a win/win situation.