Hybrid supply chain expands.(Saturn Vue Green Line from Cobasys)(Brief Article)

Automotive News, January, 2006 by Truett, Richard

Byline: Richard Truett

When the Saturn Vue Green Line goes on sale in August, it will mark the birth of the North American supply chain for gasoline-electric hybrids.

The Green Line's battery pack comes from Cobasys, a joint venture between Electronic Conversion Devices Inc., of Troy, Mich., and Chevron Technology Ventures, a unit of Chevron Corp.

The batteries are manufactured in Springboro, Ohio. They are the first North American-made nickel-metal hydride batteries used in a hybrid vehicle.

Cobasys contributed the technology. Chevron funded the venture, according to Cobasys spokesman Ray Wagner.

The batteries in all Toyota, Honda and Ford hybrids come from Japan. Sanyo or Panasonic make them.

General Motors and...

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