Electric Vehicle Industry Receives New Impetus
20 April 1999
Electric Vehicle Industry Receives New Impetus From Hybrid and Fuel Cell PactsGOLDEN, Colo., April 20 -- While opposing EV mandates in California, New York and Massachusetts, major automakers are nevertheless rapidly pushing ahead to put electrically propelled vehicles on the road. General Motors' April 19 announcement that it will team with Toyota in a five-year pact to jointly develop cars and trucks that can run off fuel cells is the latest case in point. Not to be scooped, DaimlerChrysler and Ford announced a day earlier that they will partner with oil companies, Ballard Power Systems and the state of California to develop a demonstration fleet of fuel cell powered electric vehicles by 2001. This means that four of the world's six largest carmakers are placing big bets on the future of electric propulsion. The other two - Nissan and Honda - have yet to announce cooperative efforts, although both are known to be working independently on environmentally friendly alternative-fuel technology. Unique Mobility (Amex: UQM), a developer of advanced electric propulsion and control systems, "expects to be a key supplier for a wide range of electric traction components and control electronics for future battery- electric, hybrid-electric and fuel cell-electric vehicles," according to Ray A. Geddes, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The heightened industry focus on hybrid-electric and fuel cell-electric vehicles actually widens our horizons," added Geddes. "Both vehicle types require electric motors for traction plus hybrids require high-output generators and fuel cells need efficient air compressor motors." Recent efforts by Unique in the hybrid electric field include hub mounted traction motors and controls for the DOT funded Advanced Technology Transit Bus, a 4WD traction system and high-output generator for a DARPA funded hybrid-electric HMMWV, as well as several component developments for Detroit automakers. Unique Mobility, Inc., is a leading developer and manufacturer of power dense, high efficiency motors, gear assemblies and electronic and wire harness assemblies for the aerospace, telecommunications, automotive, medical and industrial markets. The company is headquartered in Golden, Colorado, with manufacturing facilities in Frederick, Colorado (electric motors and precision gears) and St. Charles, Missouri (electronic assemblies and wire harnesses). This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the Risk Factors section of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-67313) filed by Unique with the SEC, which identifies important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including Unique's history of operating losses, its ability to obtain additional financing, competition, the Company's ability to integrate acquired businesses into existing operations, Unique's ability to protect its proprietary information, Year 2000 issues and Unique's limited experience in manufacturing processes and procedures and marketing and distribution.