Dow Kokam Acquires SVE to Expand Li-ion Capabilities from Cell Manufacture to Complete Pack and Energy Management Systems
12 January 2010
Li-ion cell manufacturer Dow Kokam has acquired Societe de Vehicles Electriques (SVE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of France-based Dassault that develops liquid-cooled high-performance battery packs and energy management systems. The companies had signed an agreement outlining their attention to combine in September 2009. (Earlier post.)
Executives from Dow Kokam and SVE made the announcement at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Through the transaction, SVE becomes a subsidiary of Dow Kokam, and Dassault becomes a shareholder. The acquisition expands the capabilities of Dow Kokam from cell manufacture through to pack assembly and battery management systems for the automotive industry. Financial terms of the transaction were not released.
Notwithstanding its acquisition of SVE, Dow Kokam will continue to work in close collaboration with pack designers and producers working with Dow Kokam cells and will expand the network of pack producers wishing to work with Dow Kokam cells for electric vehicle programs.
In October 2009, Dow Kokam received a $161-million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop a manufacturing facility in Midland, Michigan for hybrid and electric vehicle battery technology. (Earlier post.)
Dassault, through its wholly-owned subsidiary SVE, has been working with Kokam Company Ltd. under a Joint Development Agreement since 2008 and has developed Cleanbat, a proprietary and patented battery system technology incorporating liquid-cooled thermal management and electronics.
This is an important JV to develop and produce future battery systems for PHEVs and BEVs.
Kokam can competitively mass produce and assemble various size units for the world market.
Posted by: HarveyD | 12 January 2010 at 01:46 PM
I like seeing U.S. battery makers. Japan has NEC and Hitachi helped through MITI, the Japanese government is involved. NEC and Hitachi also make supercomputers, semiconductors and lots of other high technology products.
We do not have companies like that in the U.S. We have Intel and GE, but they do not make supercomputers. My point is that we have companies with divisions but not that level of integration. This may not be that important, but more of an observation.
Posted by: SJC | 13 January 2010 at 09:23 AM