GM places bet on Ann Arbor’s Sakti3 for battery production

Chapter 11 or not, Ann Arbor’s Sakti3 has found a big backer in GM.Excerpt:Michigan is ahead of the battery curve. That’s no less obvious than with the University of Michigan’s Ann Marie Sastry, CEO of Ann Arbor vehicle battery startup Sakti3. Sastry’s next-generation lithium-ion battery manufacturing technology has become a magnet for auto companies, investors and politicians.Which is why General Motors’ endorsement of Sakti3’s $15 million federal energy grant application all but a deal clincher for the firm. As GM rushes to meet the expectations of President Barack Obama’s auto task force, the firm is being pressured to focus its future on alternative propulsion vehicles. That means GM’s support of the Sakti3 application could be seen as an important piece to GM’s restructuring. “GM strongly supports this particular application for DOE stimulus dollars,” said Bob Kruse, GM’s Chevrolet Volt guru and executive director of global vehicle engineering for hybrids, electric vehicles and batteries.Sakti3 has secured $15 million in capital and is pursuing a matching $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to accelerate its expansion plans.Read the rest of the story here.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Chapter 11 or not, Ann Arbor’s Sakti3 has found a big backer in GM.

Excerpt:

Michigan is ahead of the battery curve. That’s no less obvious than with the University of Michigan’s Ann Marie Sastry, CEO of Ann Arbor vehicle battery startup Sakti3.

Sastry’s next-generation lithium-ion battery manufacturing technology has become a magnet for auto companies, investors and politicians.

Which is why General Motors’ endorsement of Sakti3’s $15 million federal energy grant application all but a deal clincher for the firm. As GM rushes to meet the expectations of President Barack Obama’s auto task force, the firm is being pressured to focus its future on alternative propulsion vehicles. That means GM’s support of the Sakti3 application could be seen as an important piece to GM’s restructuring.

“GM strongly supports this particular application for DOE stimulus dollars,” said Bob Kruse, GM’s Chevrolet Volt guru and executive director of global vehicle engineering for hybrids, electric vehicles and batteries.

Sakti3 has secured $15 million in capital and is pursuing a matching $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to accelerate its expansion plans.

Read the rest of the story here.

Author

Our Partners

30044
30045
30046
30047
30049
Washtenaw ISD logo
Eastern Michigan University
Ann Arbor Art Center
UMS
U of M Arts Initiative
Engage EMU

Common Ground Is Brewing

Support local stories and receive our signature roast straight to your door when you join at the Standard level (or above).

Drink Better, Read Local

Close the CTA

Don't miss out!

Everything Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.