A123 replacing battery that failed Fisker Karma during testing
Source: Reuters
A123 replacing battery that failed Fisker Karma during testing
Reuters
1:12 p.m. CDT, March 26, 2012
DETROIT—
A123 Systems is replacing lithium-ion battery modules and packs that could fail due to a manufacturing defect, a problem that recently led to the high-profile shutdown of the Fisker Karma luxury sedan during testing by Consumer Reports.
A123, whose shares fell 14 percent on Monday, said it discovered defects in some certain cells made at its plant in Livonia, Michigan, that Chief Executive David Vieau said can “result in premature failure of the battery module or pack, including a decrease in performance and reduced battery life.”
The company, which developed as a start-up at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has begun building replacement modules and packs, and expects to begin shipping them to five affected corporate customers this week, he told reporters on a conference call on Monday.
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Vieau said A123 was unaware of any accidents or injuries related to the defect and said the defect did not create a safety issue. However, he acknowledged the defect led the Karma electric car to shut down on March 7 during testing by widely followed consumer magazine Consumer Reports.
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Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-a123-replacing-battery-that-failed-fisker-karma-during-testing-20120326,0,6356578.story
