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

  • Lowering construction machine exhaust emissions
    November 6, 2017
    The alternatives to diesel fuel as a power source continue to grow as firms move to cut emissions - Mike Woof writes. Only the most myopic could have failed to notice that times are changing in terms of engine technology. In the on-highway automotive sector as well as for the off-highway construction machine segment, manufacturers are looking to lower tailpipe emissions. Similar technologies have been employed in both on-highway and off-highway sectors, although those solutions have been adapted to better
  • Nissan develops next-gen fuel cell stack
    April 26, 2012
    Nissan Motor Company has released its next generation fuel cell stack (2011 Model) for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). The latest technology development is part of the company's continuing efforts towards the realisation of a zero emission society. Through improvements to the MEA (membrane electrode assembly) and the separator flow path, which make up the structure of fuel cells, Nissan says it has significantly improved the power density of its fuel cell stack to 2.5 times greater than its 2005 model a
  • Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel option for the future
    March 4, 2020
    Hyundai is developing a hydrogen fuel option for the future.
  • Intrans Group becomes CS America
    April 30, 2012
    CS Communication & Systèmes has announced a name change for its Intrans Group business, a specialist in the design, supply and maintenance of high performance toll systems established in the US since 1979, to CS America. From its headquarters in Port Washington, New York, the newly named business will continue to deploy its global strategy to the US market and provide cost effective free flow and all electronic tolling (ETC) systems as well as fully integrated back-office and performing enforcement solution