Today, Daimler Chrysler and Ford announced they will be taking over the fuel cell business Ballard Power Systems AG, a subsidiary of Ballard Power Systems Inc.  The new joint venture, named NuCellSys GmbH, will give Daimler Chrysler and Ford equal shares in the company, and be headquartered in Nabern, Germany.  Daimler Chrysler says the focus will be, in addition to reorganizing the business, to find the best ways to integrate fuel cell drives into vehicles.

I for one am very excited to see auto-manufacturers focus more on fuel cells and less on hybrids.  So many people today are in love with their Toyota Prius that they fail to see a better technology exists (if you're new to fuel cells, Ballard's website has more information).  In my opinion, hybrids are just a temporary solution, a band-aid on a gaping wound.  Fuel-cells will change the future; mark my words.  It's just a matter of how long it will take.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


DaimlerChrysler And Ford Acquire Ballard’s Fuel Cell System Business

Stuttgart, Sep 01, 2005

DaimlerChrysler AG and Ford Motor Company are today officially taking over the fuel cell system business of the Canadian company Ballard Power Systems Inc. The transaction’s main feature is the acquisition of Ballard Power Systems AG in Nabern, Germany. DaimlerChrysler and Ford are establishing a joint venture in which both manufacturers will own equal shares. Known as NuCellSys GmbH, the joint venture with headquarters in Nabern will work closely with Ballard to forge ahead with the development of fuel cell systems.

The acquisition of the fuel cell system business represents an important step in the reorganization of the alliance between Ballard, DaimlerChrysler and Ford with the aim of bringing fuel cell drive systems to the series production stage. In the acquisition agreement signed on June 23, 2005, Ballard, DaimlerChrysler and Ford settled the details of the transaction, which puts the cooperation between the alliance partners on a new footing. The shareholders of Ballard Power Systems approved the acquisition agreement on August 29, 2005.

In addition to reorganizing the systems business, DaimlerChrysler and Ford will be focusing on ways to best integrate fuel cell drives into vehicles, while Ballard will continue to develop and manufacture fuel cells and electric drives for fuel cell vehicles. The reallocation of tasks will allow the alliance partners to focus on their respective areas of expertise.

Copryight © 2005, Daimler Chrysler AG