Hitachi Automotive Systems Delivers 5,000W/kg High Output Power Density Prismatic Lithium-ion Battery Cells for 2016 New Model GM Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

19 May 2015

Tokyo, May 19, 2015 --- Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. today announced that the company will be supplying 5,000W/kg high output power density prismatic lithium-ion battery cells for the new model Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid to be sold by General Motors (GM) in 2016.

These prismatic lithium-ion battery cells being delivered for the 2016 new model Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid employ heat resistant separators to ensure the ionic conductivity between the positive and negative electrodes, achieving not only a high output power density of 5,000W/kg, but also a high level of safety. In addition to this, the battery's ability to maintain its high output power density in GM evaluations, even under extremely low temperatures such as the minus 30℃ cold region test, led to its adoption.

Hitachi's lithium-ion battery operations for vehicles began in 1999, leading the charge worldwide and beginning mass production of safe, high-performance, long lasting products. To date, a total of over 5 million lithium-ion batteries have been introduced into the market for commercial hybrid buses and trucks, as well as hybrid passenger cars.

The many years of supply performance for lithium-ion batteries as mass produced products, together with the accumulated production and quality management know-how garnered from feedback from the market, has led to an emphasis on high reliability and earned Hitachi a high reputation from car manufacturers both inside and outside of Japan.

In addition, last year Hitachi Automotive Systems integrated the lithium-ion battery manufacturer Hitachi Vehicle Energy's design and R&D departments, advancing lithium-ion batteries by using the electronic, control, and software technology the company possessed toward battery control system development.

Hitachi Automotive Systems will continue to contribute to the evolution of electrically driven vehicles through the strengthening of electric power train products, lithium-ion batteries, and more.

About Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.

Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company is engaged in the development, manufacture, sales and services of automotive components, transportation related components, industrial machines and systems, and offers a wide range of automotive systems including engine management systems, electric power train systems, drive control systems and car information systems. For more information, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi-automotive.co.jp/en/.

About Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd

Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd. is a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The company is manufacturing lithium-ion battery and expanding the scale of the mass production. For more information, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi-ve.co.jp/en/.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society’s challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal 2014 (ended March 31, 2015) totaled 9,761 billion yen ($81.3 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.

Contact:

Craig Fisher
Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.
+1-859-734-6448
craig.fisher@hitachi-automotive.us