Good news for Michigan.

[BobRossi]

"Chrysler LLC will buy battery packs for its first ENVI extended-range and battery-only vehicles from A123 Systems, with production to begin in 2010."

"A123, based in Watertown, Mass., has a research and development center in Ann Arbor and a small pilot plant in Novi. Production of the advance nanophosphate lithium ion batteries will come from a new plant in Michigan, but the company has not yet announced the location.

“We’ve been working with them for three years,” said Lou Rhodes, Chrysler vice president for advanced vehicle engineering and president of ENVI. “We have confidence our near-term and long-terms electrification goals will be met.”

http://www.freep.com/article/20090406/BUSINESS01/90406016/1118/RSS

[Barack_America]

1. Fantastic news.

Thanks for posting!

:hi:

[bluestateguy]

2. Ann Arbor is one of the few places that is doing well in Michigan

Well, compared to the rest of the state, that is.

[liberal N proud]

3. Michigan needs some good news

[blue_onyx]

4. I can't wait for the A123 Systems

and the Volt battery plants to get up and running. We actually had a lot of good economic news toward the end of last year and early this year (battery plants, film studios). The only problem is that the announced jobs won't be here for a couple of years when we need jobs now.

Now we just need to hope Chrysler survives.

[BobRossi]

5. I did my part to help them.

Bought the wife a new Town and Country minivan late last year. The incentives were incredible, and the vehicle is superb.

[sufrommich]

6. I selfishly hope the new factory comes to the Detroit area.

No offense to Ann Arbor, but it is one one the few areas doing relatively well around here.

[blue_onyx]

7. I feel the same

I hope Detroit gets the Volt battery plant too. It's the area that needs it the most.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. That is great news!