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Ballard Power Systems Inc. Message Board

  • marcus2346 marcus2346 Jul 14, 2001 4:37 PM Flag

    Honda will develop its own fuel cells


    Honda will develop its own fuel cells

    Although the Ballard fuel cell currently in the car performs satisfactorily, Honda�s R&D director, Tomohiko Kawanabe, said that Honda is working on its own fuel cells, which would likely have a lighter weight and package nicely in the FCX. Honda views this as a core powertrain component, and Honda never outsources core powertrain components, said Kawanabe.

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    • Here is an excerpt from the article link below.

      "Nor is the company's (Honda) treasured solo operation unassailable in the era of soaring research costs. In the future, it won't be easy for Honda to remain independent in the development of expensive technologies, particulary fuel cells," says Seiji Sugiura, an industry analyst with Nomura Securities.

    • Thanks for posting that, One thing that really
      grabbed my attention was the neat package everything is in under the hood, not the the
      mess of wires and junk in my current vehicle.

    • Please note that the release came from a gent named Wan-a be.

    • "Honda never outsources core powertrain components."

      No, Honda doesn't do that. Rather, what they do is obtain samples of the fruits of the intellectual property of others, and shamelessly duplicate them themselves.

      This is all so very predictable. Arrogant Toyota and GM will do precisely the same.

      The clear implication here is that Ballard's sales will be primarily limited to Ford, Chrysler, and Daimler, plus possibly to Nissan, South Korea and some others. While this is not small potatoes, doesn't this just PISS YOU OFF? It does me.

      So who do I despise more today? Honda or GM? Tough call. Yes indeed, a tough call today.

      Ballard never should have let those xenophobic thieves in the damn door. They bought fuel cells from Ballard primarily for the purpose of disassembly, not in order to evaluate them for major purchases. Ballard, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? Protect your secrets, damn you!

      Surprised? I'm not. So, have we learned anything from history yet? Geeez.

      • 3 Replies to sarocha007
      • sarocha007,

        All of these companies that say that they are going to develop their own fuel cells, will have to go through a maze of designs to not step on any patents that BLDP has. In the end, they will either buy BLDP units or be involved in a lot of law suits. Glad BLDP has the money to take them to court. I'm also sure that Ford and Chrysler will help them as well because it would benefit them.
        What's the limits on a patent? Is it 15 years?
        If so, that's when Honda will build their own....maybe. Honda never said when they will have their own fuel cell. In the mean time, 25 million dollar orders are OK with me.

      • That's what patents are for. If they infringe then there is court action. If they want to sell Hondas in Canada they will play by the rules.

      • I agree, and you said it well!

        Why are the U.S. carmakers dragging their feet?

        Because they're in bed with the oil companies plain and simple.