| Thu 22 Mar 2012, 12:53 | | MTA - Metair Investments Limited - First National Battery manufactures new |
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MTA
MTA
MTA - Metair Investments Limited - First National Battery manufactures new
technology batteries for BMW 3 Series
Metair Investments Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 1948/031013/06)
Share code: MTA ISIN: ZAE000090692
FIRST NATIONAL BATTERY MANUFACTURES NEW TECHNOLOGY BATTERIES FOR BMW 3
SERIES
First National Battery (FNB), leading manufacturer and distributor of lead
acid batteries in South Africa and a subsidiary of JSE listed Metair
Investments Limited, is proud to announce that it has successfully completed
a pre-series production run order for Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA)
batteries for the new BMW 3 Series vehicles. This resulted in BMW Germany
authorising the release for the H8 90Ah VRLA batteries with Absorbent Glass
Mat (AGM) technology on 14 March 2012.
Dr. Louis Denner, Managing Director of FNB said: "We are very proud to
supply BMW with the first VRLA batteries for Original Equipment Manufacture,
as well as Parts and Accessories manufactured in South Africa. The first of
these batteries will be installed in the 3 Series BMWs from early April
2012."
The BMW 3 Series is one of the first ranges of vehicles with full start/stop
technology to be produced in South Africa. Vehicles with start/stop
technology use a combination of internal combustion and battery power to
considerably reduce fuel consumption, especially in heavy urban traffic,
during peak hours. This environmentally compatible mode of mobility reduces
emissions but intensifies the performance demands on automotive batteries.
To enhance efficiency, the engines of start/stop vehicles switch off
automatically every time the vehicle stops in traffic. Then, when the
accelerator is depressed, the battery restarts the engine. The function of
a battery for start/stop vehicles has therefore changed from simply starting
the engine, to regular discharge and recharge states known as start/stop
cycling. Unlike traditional batteries, stop/start batteries operate in a
partial state of charge and need to be robust not only for restarting the
engine regularly but also to ensure continuous power to electronic
components, car lights and air conditioners. These vehicles also use
regenerative braking technology to recharge the battery.
Batteries with AGM technology are optimised for these high charging and
starting currents, and cycling regimes. The batteries deliver up to 30% more
starting current and last up to three times longer than conventional lead
acid batteries under these cycling conditions, thus offering a significantly
increased service life.
VRLA batteries are vibration resistant. The battery plates are compressed
between the AGM separators and are therefore cushioned from damage caused by
potholes and rough outdoor terrain. They are also spill proof, which means
that the battery won`t leak, even if accidentally punctured.
The VRLA battery is also available in the aftermarket as the Raylite
Ultimate battery.
Johannesburg
22 March 2012
Sponsor
One Capital
Investor relations
College Hill
Date: 22/03/2012 12:53:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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