Skip to main content

JV to develop and manufacture fuel cell systems in Japan

Intelligent Energy, a specialist in clean power systems, and the Suzuki Motor Corporation have announced the creation of a joint venture company called Smile FC System Corporation, to develop and manufacture air-cooled fuel cell systems for a range of industry sectors.
March 16, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

4011 Intelligent Energy, a specialist in clean power systems, and the Suzuki Motor Corporation have announced the creation of a joint venture company called Smile FC System Corporation, to develop and manufacture air-cooled fuel cell systems for a range of industry sectors. The joint venture also includes a non-exclusive license agreement that gives Suzuki access to Intelligent Energy’s fuel cell technology for its next generation of environmentally friendly fuel cell vehicles.

Under the terms of the contract, both companies will take a 50 per cent stake in the joint venture. Smile FC System Corporation will be led by Osamu Honda, executive VP and representative director for Suzuki Motor Corporation, who will become president of the JV which will be headquartered in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, with operations initially based in Yokohama, Japan.

According to Intelligent Energy’s Phil Caldwell, newly appointed to the board of Smile FC System, “This joint venture is the latest exciting development in the successful relationship between Intelligent Energy and Suzuki, which has previously resulted in the Crosscage motorcycle and the Suzuki Burgman fuel cell scooter. It is a big step towards the mass production of automotive fuel cell systems.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Compaction's competitive competitors
    July 31, 2012
    New technologies and new partnerships will heighten the rivalry in the compaction sector, Mike Woof reports The competitive compaction equipment market is providing customers with a broad and growing array of innovative technologies and solutions. At the same time, many firms are looking to increase market share through reorganisation of their operations and developing new international partnerships. This sector of the equipment market is certainly now more competitive, with major brands like Bomag, Caterpi
  • It’s in with the new for asphalt plants
    April 4, 2013
    A leading asphalt plant manufacturer is playing a key role in the upgrade of a major European airport, while another is said to have created one of the most modern plants in Europe. Meanwhile, a host of new plants and plant concepts have been, or are about to be, unveiled. Guy Woodford reports Intrame says its ultra-mobile UM-280 asphalt plant has played a key role in the resurfacing of the runway and taxiways at Gatwick Airport in southern England – the busiest single runway airport in the world. Around 35
  • Ethiopia’s challenging cement market: consumption stimulation
    January 26, 2018
    Ethiopia’s cement industry has enjoyed substantial growth in the past decade. However, challenges linked to the government’s investment policy could erode these gains, as Shem Oirere reports With nearly 16.5 million tonnes of cement capacity and 10% average growth in annual consumption, Ethiopia is among the top cement producers in sub-Saharan Africa. Only Nigeria and South Africa rival it.
  • IDB, iRAP extend Latin America-Caribbean work
    February 25, 2025
    The five-year deal was signed during the Ten Steps to 2030 for Safer Road Infrastructure Side Event at the recent 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety underway in Marrakech, Morrocco.