Japanese lead automotive battery market

Advanced Battery Technology, Jul 2002

Pulled by the aggressive commercialization of advanced vehicles by Japanese carmakers Toyota and Honda, which already have five hybrid electric cars on the market and plan to at least double this number in the next three years, the Japanese automotive battery industry now leads development and marketing - well ahead of its U.S. and European counterparts.

This trend is likely to intensify, concludes The 2002 Advanced Automotive Battery Industry Report. Now in its second edition, the report focuses on the most recent technology and market trends. "We were expecting Japanese battery makers to take advantage of their strong position in nickel metal-hydride and lithium-ion chemistry, popular in cellular phones and hand-held computers, and exploit the application of these chemistries in the advanced vehicle market," notes report author Dr. Menahem Anderman. "However, the Japanese are also moving ahead with the application of lead acid battery chemistries, where U.S. and European producers traditionally held strong positions."

Among manufacturers with commercial activities in these developing markets are electronic giants Matsushita (Panasonic) and Sanyo as well as several lesser known entities outside Japan, such as Shin Kobe (a Hitachi group company), JSB (Japanese Storage Batteries), and Yuasa.

The 2002 Advanced Automotive Battery Industry Report (2nd edition) is based on site interviews with more than 50 leading companies in the field. It has recently been updated with the latest marketing plans of automakers and a review of the technological progress, marketing status and potential of battery suppliers.

Contact Advanced Automotive Batteries, phone: (530) 692-0140 or visit www.advancedautobat.com.