Quantum receives $30M purchase order to produce components for Fisker Karma

Autoblog Green said:

In a move that might signal Fisker's intent to begin production on the the Karma plug-in hybrid, the company has awarded Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. a $30-million first-release production purchase order to supply key components related to the Karma's Q-Drive powertrain. Under terms of the agreement, Quantum will begin production of the various components and subsystems related to its Q-Drive powertrain, a unique hybrid drive system that was originally developed for the Karma.

Though Fisker has been fraught with delays and seldom sticks to its own production timeline, this fresh bit of news indicates that production of the Karma could finally be near. If Fisker is truly back on track, then we'd expect to see some Karmas (70-100) available by year's end, with full-scale production set to begin in February 2011.

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Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies said:

PRESS RELEASE

Quantum Awarded $30 Million Contract to Supply Key Components and Sub-Systems Related to Q-Drive Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain Systems

Purchase Order Enables the Start of Production of Fisker Karma, as Part of the Forecasted 15,000 Vehicles per Year

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: QTWW) announced today that it has received a $30 million purchase order for supplying key components and subsystems related to Quantum's proprietary Q-Drive™ powertrain systems for the Fisker Karma production program under the terms of its supply agreement. Under this first-release production purchase order, Quantum will supply components and systems to support the early vehicle builds that will ramp up to production volumes in 2011. Quantum recently signed a Supply Agreement with Fisker Automotive to supply key components and control systems for the Q-Drive powertrain system that is being incorporated into the Fisker Karma.

"Quantum is excited to be receiving a volume production order from Fisker and supporting the introduction of this luxury high performance plug-in hybrid sedan," said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, the President and CEO of Quantum.

Fisker Automotive, the green American car company that Quantum co-founded, closed a Department of Energy loan for $528.7 million in April 2010. This DOE loan to Fisker will be used for the development and production of two models of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including the Karma, a four door sports sedan, and a line of family-oriented models being developed under Fisker's Project Nina program.

About Quantum

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., a fully integrated alternative energy company, is a leader in the development and production of advanced propulsion systems, energy storage technologies, and alternative fuel vehicles. Quantum's wholly owned subsidiary, Schneider Power Inc., complements Quantum's emerging renewable energy presence through the development and ownership of wind and solar farms. Quantum's portfolio of technologies includes electronic controls, hybrid electric drive systems, hydrogen storage and metering systems, and alternative fuel technologies that enable fuel efficient, low emission hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric, fuel cell, and natural gas vehicles. Quantum's powertrain engineering, system integration, vehicle manufacturing, and assembly capabilities provide fast-to-market solutions to support the production of hybrid and plug-in hybrid, hydrogen-powered hybrid, fuel cell, alternative fuel, and specialty vehicles, as well as modular, transportable hydrogen refueling stations. Quantum's customer base includes automotive OEMs, dealer networks, fleets, aerospace industry, military and other government entities, and other strategic alliance partners.

More information can be found about Quantum's products and services at http://www.qtww.com/.

About Fisker Automotive:

Fisker Automotive, co-founded by Quantum and Fisker Coachbuild, is a privately owned, premium American car company with a vision to lead the automotive industry into the next-generation of automobiles with high-end design expertise and eco-friendly powertrain technology. Global headquarters is in Irvine, California, USA. The company was created in 2007 to leverage the design capabilities of Fisker Coachbuild, LLC, founded by auto design veterans Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler, and the PHEV powertrain capabilities of Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. Previously, Fisker, CEO, was design director for Aston Martin and president and CEO of BMW's DesignworksUSA. Koehler, COO, led operations for Ford's Global Advanced Design Studio and created concept cars for Aston Martin, MINI and BMW. More information can be found about Fisker Automotive at www.fiskerautomotive.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements included in this report and the documents that we incorporate by reference, other than those that are historical, are forward-looking statements and can generally be identified by words such as "may," "could," "will," "should," "assume," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "believe," "predict," "estimate," "forecast," "outlook," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of these terms, and other comparable terminology. Various risks and other factors could cause actual results, and actual events that occur, to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward looking statements, such as whether Fisker will be able to produce the planned number of units per year, the timing of production, whether Quantum is able to meet Fisker Automotive's price, performance, quality and delivery requirements for the Fisker Karma platform or any other vehicle platforms, and whether Quantum is chosen as the supplier of components for any future Fisker Automotive vehicle platforms. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

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