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World’s first lithium-ion hybrid vehicle battery plant opened

Johnson Controls-Saft joint venture recently opened the world’s first lithium-ion hybrid vehicle battery plant in Nersac, France - dedicated to the manufacture of advanced lithium-ion batteries for hybrid, plug-in, fuel cell and electric vehicles. "This manufacturing plant demonstrates our ongoing commitment to hybrid technology," says Mary Ann Wright who leads the joint venture and is vice president and general manager of Johnson Controls' hybrid battery business. "We are the first company to produce the batteries for the automotive industry and have recently announced a number of production and development contracts with manufacturers including Mercedes, Dodge and General Motors."

Indian Navy commissions HVAC systems

For the first time ever the Indian Navy has commissioned an external provider to supply, test and install, HVAC systems for four of its ships. Under the $16 million contract, Johnson Controls will deliver air-filtration units (AFUs) capable of filtering nuclear, biological and chemical contamination during times of war as well as during normal operations. In addition, the contract includes the provision of sea water coolers for machinery spaces and pre-insulated ducts and water- and gas-tight valves.

Creating an environmentally friendly Olympics

To support its goal of hosting an environmentally-friendly 2008 Olympic Games, the city of Beijing, China, has selected Johnson Controls to create green solutions for key Olympic venues and buildings. Johnson Controls is providing Metasys® building management systems, environmentally-friendly refrigerant solutions, York centrifugal chillers and air handling units for more than a dozen venues and facilities including the Beijing Olympic Tower, China Central Television (CCTV) New Headquarters and the Beijing Capital International Airport.