Altair Nanotechnologies Signs New Agreement with Phoenix Motorcars
25 July 2008
Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. has signed a new Principles of Agreement Letter with Phoenix Motorcars, Inc. that resolves an outstanding warranty issue. In the first quarter of 2008, Altair offered a warranty replacement of 47lithium-ion battery packs to Phoenix because modeling studies conducted by Altair suggested a chance of pack failure under certain conditions based on the configuration of the modules comprising the packs.
Under the terms of the agreement, Altair will ship 47 battery packs purchased by Phoenix in 2007 to Phoenix for use exclusively in demonstration all-electric vehicles. In addition, Altair entered into a letter of agreement with Phoenix formally terminating the existing supply agreement and mutually releasing each other from any claims under such agreement.
We are pleased to have worked with Phoenix to resolve this concern in a timely and practical manner that allows them to use the original batteries with a simple safety system addition.
—Terry Copeland, Altair CEO
Based upon the Principles of Agreement Letter, in the second quarter of 2008, Altair reversed the $2.8 million warranty liability associated with this transaction and wrote off a $1.7 million note payable due to Altair from Phoenix. The result of the transaction, which is outlined in the Principles of Agreement Letter filed July 24, 2008 with a Form 8K, is a credit to cost of goods sold of $2.8 million and a debit to operating expense of $1.7 million for a net positive impact of $1.1 million to net income in the second quarter 2008 financial results.
In addition to the approximate net impact of the $1.1 million credit, the demonstration vehicles are expected to qualify for zero-emission vehicle ("ZEV") credits under the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Type III program. Altair will receive ten percent of the monetized value of any ZEV credits awarded for cars containing its battery packs. Each car qualifying under the Type III program will generate forty ZEV credits in calendar year 2008.
Phoenix Motorcars is developing battery-electric, freeway-speed vehicles, including SUTs and SUVs. The company is currently working with Altair to obtain battery modules for future vehicle production runs, according to Daniel Elliott, Phoenix CEO.
In May, Phoenix announced plans to offer multiple battery options for its lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles. While the Altairnano pack will continue to be featured in the first delivered product, the company will begin to offer integrated battery systems from Electrovaya as a option. (Earlier post.)
Can someone interpret all this financial speak? What's going on?
Posted by: Marcus | 25 July 2008 at 11:48 AM
Marcus, it's a divorce. Phoenix keeps the silverware. No alimony. Both parties are free to date other people.
Posted by: doggydogworld | 25 July 2008 at 12:48 PM
Thanks!
Posted by: | 25 July 2008 at 09:52 PM
I believe Altair wanted out and this was done so that they could focus on more promising projects. And they wanted to ditch liability for what happened if Phoenix resold their batteries.
Something is, or has been, seriously wrong at Phoenix or Altair or both.
I'm guessing Phoenix has the greater problems. But there is little doubt Altair must also perform better soon.
Altair made a paper profit of $1.1 million on the settlement. That profit may be more paper than fact, it depends on whether Phoenix could ever have paid the $1.7 million it owed Altair.
Posted by: K | 25 July 2008 at 10:50 PM
Altair have had a better offer....
Cough...FORD....ahem....
(Only speculation!)
Posted by: clett | 28 July 2008 at 01:34 AM