Nissan and NEC group team up to produce lithium-ion batteries

Nissan and the NEC group said today that they are teaming up in a joint venture to produce lithium-ion batteries in 2009 that will be used in hybrids an other electric cars in order to challenge their competitors. Nissan, an automaker who is not one of the biggest players in the green-push, is hoping this breakthrough can help it move up from Japan’s number three automaker, giving it strong ground to compete against Honda and Toyota.

The group consisting of Nissan, which will own 50 percent, NEC, which will own 42.5 percent and NEC Tokin, which will own 7.5 percent, will produce batteries for Nissan’s first true hybrid car planned for launch in 2010.

The group will also supply the rest of the automotive industry.

Source: Reuters