Ballard Power Systems Inc. of Vancouver, together with DaimlerChrysler AG and Ford Motor Co., have announced an agreement whereby Ballard will acquire DaimlerChrysler’s XCELLSIS and Ford’s Ecostar Electric Drive Systems units.
XCELLSIS and Ecostar were inaugurated in 1998 as a vehicular fuel cell alliance between Ballard, DaimlerChrysler, and Ford. The acquisitions will give Ballard a range of fuel cell products, from components to power generators and fuel cell power trains. It will also commit the two automakers to Ballard as their fuel cell engine supplier.