By Drew Johnson
Friday, Aug 12th, 2011 @ 1:51 pm
 
Just hours after General Motors announced a new battery deal with A123 Systems yesterday word broke that the Detroit automaker had put its Cadillac Converj plug-in back on the production path, with those two stories apparently closer linked than first thought.

According to the Boston Business Journal, A123 Systems specifically signed on with GM to supply batteries for the production version of the Cadillac Converj. A123 previously stated that it was working on a vehicle project with a North American automaker for launch in 2013, with the Converj coincidentally slated to launch in 2013.

GM said it would announce specific vehicles and brands targeted for A123's battery technology at a later date, but, according to investment firm Needham & Company, the Cadillac Converj will definitely be one of the first vehicles to hit the road with A123's advanced lithium-ion batteries.

Needham & Company notes that GM has previously stated that it would stick with LG Chem for its Chevrolet Volt batteries, but the Converj is expected to arrive with an updated version of the Volt's Voltec electric drivetrain. That so-called "Generation 1.5 Voltec" system is likely different enough from the first-generation system to warrant a switch to A123 Systems.

References
1.'A123 may supply...' view
  

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