Responding to societal concerns regarding environmental protection and surging oil prices, SANYO has strengthened its business and development of high performance rechargeable batteries for the rapidly-expanding HEV market. SANYO has already provided HEV batteries for Ford’s ‘Escape Hybrid’ and Honda’s ‘Accord Hybrid’ on the North American market.

SANYO’s next generation Ni-MH battery systems for HEVs, which are currently under development, make optimum use of the know-how of technology in batteries for HEV and consumer-use Ni-MH batteries that SANYO has acquired through 15 years of experience. Through advanced battery system technologies, such as battery Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and technology for reduction in size and weight, they aim to realize the markets’ needs for higher output power and higher durability.

An agreement on the co-development of high-performance HEV Ni-MH battery systems with VW is SANYO’s first opportunity to supply HEV battery systems to a European automobile company. SANYO will strive to build a strong partnership with VW and accelerate the development and commercialization of higher-performance HEV battery systems. Thus, SANYO aims to continue its efforts to consolidate the basis of HEV business on the European market.

Based on its new vision “Think GAIA”, SANYO is continuing to push environment-friendly businesses such as HEV battery systems and offer ‘Global Energy Solutions’ with its outstanding rechargeable battery technologies.