AMERIGON - thermo-elektrische Technologie - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

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More Efficient Materials Enable Use of Thermoelectric Technology
In Wide Variety of Industrial, Automotive Applications
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MONTREAL and NORTHVILLE, MI, Aug. 25 /CNW Telbec/ - 5N Plus Inc.
(TSX:VNP), a developer and producer of high-purity metals and compounds for
electronic applications and Amerigon Incorporated (NASDAQ: ARGN), a leader in
developing and marketing products based on advanced thermoelectric (TE)
technologies, today announced that they have established a partnership, to be
called "ZT Plus", to develop and manufacture advanced, more efficient
thermoelectric materials designed to enable the use of TE technology in a wide
variety of heating and cooling and power generation applications for
industrial, consumer, medical, electronics and automotive markets. Nicholas
Audet, Manager of Research and Development of 5N Plus, will lead the new
partnership in its initial stages.
This partnership between 5N Plus and Amerigon is intended to allow for
the completion of the development of these advanced materials and the creation
of innovative manufacturing capabilities to produce the materials in volume,
and in a cost-efficient manner. Amerigon's advanced technology subsidiary BSST
along with its university partners have performed extensive research into the
development of the next generation of TE materials. They have successfully
developed materials that significantly outperform the best presently available
TE materials.
5N Plus President and Chief Executive Officer Jacques L'Ecuyer said, "We
are a leader in specialty materials for the electronics industry and see a
unique opportunity to team-up with Amerigon, an industry leader in advanced
thermoelectric technologies. We believe this new relationship will allow us to
diversify and expand our business into additional high-growth markets with a
strong clean-technology focus, through, for example, waste heat recovery
applications. We are excited about these opportunities and as a result have
seconded Nicholas Audet, our Manager of Research and Development to the new
partnership to lead these activities in their early stages."
"Our partnership with 5N Plus combines the intellectual property and
expertise in thermoelectrics of Amerigon's BSST subsidiary, and its university
partners, with the experience in the purification, compounding and
manufacturing of thermoelectric materials of 5N Plus," said Lon E. Bell,
President of BSST. "The agreement grants BSST the right to purchase these new,
more efficient materials for early use in the automotive, power generation
from waste heat, and HVAC markets."
"This is an important milestone for Amerigon and allows us to continue
our global leadership in thermoelectric technology and to continue to bring
efficient, effective and practical thermoelectric solutions to market," said
Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel R. Coker. "The
development of more efficient materials is the key to unlocking the vast
potential of our thermoelectric technology and to creating new products for a
broad variety of global markets."
Amerigon is the largest supplier of thermoelectric devices to the
automotive industry through the shipment of more than 4.6 million units of its
Climate Control Seat(R) (CCS(R)), the world's first thermoelectric-based
cooled and heated seat.
ZT Plus has been structured as a general partnership under the laws of
Delaware. The Joint Venture Partnership Agreement entered into between 5N Plus
and Amerigon's subsidiary BSST provides that 5N Plus will make an initial cash
contribution and BSST will assign certain contracts and intellectual property
to the partnership.

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About 5N Plus Inc.
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5N Plus draws its name from the purity of its products, 99.999% (five
nines or 5N) and more. 5N Plus, which has its head office in Montreal, Québec,
develops and produces high-purity metals and compounds for electronic
applications and provides its customers with recycling solutions. The Company
is an integrated producer with both primary and secondary refining
capabilities. 5N Plus focuses on specialty metals such as tellurium, cadmium
and selenium and on related compounds such as cadmium telluride and cadmium
sulphide. The Company's products are critical precursors in a number of
electronic applications, including the rapidly-expanding solar (thin-film
photovoltaic) market, for which 5N Plus is a major supplier of cadmium
telluride, and the radiation detector and thermoelectric markets.

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About Amerigon
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Amerigon (NASDAQ: ARGN) develops products based on its advanced,
proprietary, efficient thermoelectric (TE) technologies for a wide range of
global markets and heating and cooling applications. The Company's current
principal product is its proprietary Climate Control Seat(R) (CCS(R)) system,
a solid-state, TE-based system that permits drivers and passengers of vehicles
to individually and actively control the heating and cooling of their
respective seats to ensure maximum year-round comfort. CCS, which is the only
system of its type on the market today, uses no CFCs or other environmentally
sensitive coolants. Amerigon maintains sales and technical support centers in
Southern California, Detroit, Japan, Germany, England and Korea.

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12.08.2009 12:02
Amerigon Climate Control Seat(R) System to be Standard Feature in All-New 2010 Nissan 370Z Touring Roadster

NORTHVILLE, Mich., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amerigon Incorporated , a leader in developing and marketing products based on advanced thermoelectric (TE) technologies, today announced that its proprietary Climate Control Seat (CCS ) system will be included as a standard feature in the Touring model of the all-new 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster. The two seat Roadster is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan retailers nationwide in late summer 2009.

CCS is one example of the cutting edge technology features available in the new 370Z Roadster. CCS, the premier actively heated and cooled seat system in the global automotive seat market, delivers year-round comfort to automotive seat occupants by providing both active heating and cooling. The system is completely independent of the automobile's heating and air conditioning system and does not reduce power available to the engine. It also emits no CFCs or other gases and is completely friendly to the environment.

"We are proud to be part of the 370Z Roadster, a vehicle that makes a significant statement of performance, styling, and innovation," said Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel R. Coker. "Our CCS system will provide the Roadster driver and passenger year-round thermal comfort even with the top down. CCS has been well-received in other Nissan vehicles that offer it and we believe it will add significant value and contribute to the success of this new addition to the Nissan family."

Other vehicles from Nissan that offer CCS are the Nissan Maxima, Nissan Cima, Nissan Fuga, Infiniti G Convertible, Infiniti M35/45 and Infiniti 35/50. In addition, the Nissan Teana offers Amerigon's heated and ventilated seat system.

About CCS

In the CCS system, which is built around Amerigon's highly-efficient, solid-state thermoelectric device, air is forced through the heat pump and thermally conditioned in response to electronic switch input from the seat occupant. The conditioned air circulates by a specially designed fan through ducts in the seat cushion and seat back, so that the surface can be heated or cooled. Each seat has individual electronic controls to adjust the level of heating or cooling. CCS substantially improves comfort compared with conventional air conditioners by focusing the cooling directly on the passenger through the seat, rather than waiting until ambient air cools the seat surface behind the passenger.

Amerigon is the largest supplier of TE systems for cars, with more than 4.7 million thermoelectric-based seat systems sold.

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Amerigon Q3 Profit Rises - Quick Facts
10/28/2009 6:16 AM ET


Wednesday, Amerigon Inc. (ARGN: News ) reported third-quarter net income attributable to Amerigon Inc of $1.13 million or $0.05 per share, compared to net income of $648 thousand or $0.03 per share in the same quarter last year.

On average, five analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn breakeven per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Product revenues for the quarter increased 11% to $18.4 million from $16.6 million in the comparable quarter last year. Analysts expected the company to report revenue of $15.10 million for the quarter.
Looking ahead, the company said that due to the current uncertainty in the global automotive market, it expects revenues to be flat to marginally up for the fourth quarter compared with the third quarter. Revenues for the second half of 2009 should be up as compared to the first half of 2009.

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Amerigon Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG

NORTHVILLE, Mich., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amerigon Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARGN), a leader in developing and marketing products based on advanced thermoelectric (TE) technologies, today announced that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the Windsor, Ontario, Canada-based subsidiary of Germany-based W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG. The complaint filed yesterday in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleges that W.E.T. Automotive Systems infringes four patents owned or licensed by Amerigon. The Amerigon patent portfolio, which relates to thermoelectric systems and technologies, includes United States Patent Nos. 4,923,248; 5,626,021; 7,587,901; and RE38,128, all of which were asserted in the lawsuit against W.E.T. Automotive Systems.

Thermoelectric technologies are the basis of a number of Amerigon current and planned products, including its proprietary Climate Control Seat® (CCS®) system for the automotive market.

Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel R. Coker said, "Innovation and creativity are key elements of our business strategy and intellectual property portfolio, and they have enabled us to establish our leadership position as the largest supplier of TE systems for the automotive industry. We are committed to vigorously protecting our intellectual property rights for all of the Company's important innovations."

Amerigon currently holds or licenses 38 U.S. patents on thermoelectric systems and technologies.

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07.01.2010 12:03
Amerigon Upgraded to NASDAQ Global Select Market

NORTHVILLE, Mich., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amerigon Incorporated , a leader in developing and marketing products based on advanced thermoelectric (TE) technologies, today announced that the NASDAQ Stock Market has upgraded the listing of the Company's securities to the NASDAQ Global Select Market effective January 4, 2010. The Company's securities continue to trade under the symbol "ARGN."

The NASDAQ Global Select Market, one of the three market tiers at NASDAQ, recognizes the highest financial listing standards in the world, with measures including market value, liquidity and earnings. Qualifying for the NASDAQ Global Select Market is a mark of achievement, leadership, credibility and high ethical standards for companies.

Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel R. Coker said, "Having qualified for the NASDAQ Global Select Market is significant validation of the Company and our Board's dedication to corporate governance practices of the highest standard and integrity. Inclusion in this market should increase our visibility in the capital markets and further broaden our shareholder base."

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08.02.2010 17:05
W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Amerigon

W.E.T. Also Files Response to Recent Lawsuit Filed by Amerigon

W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG (Listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange), a global leader in thermal comfort for the automotive industry, today announced that its subsidiary Windsor, Ontario, Canada-based W.E.T. Automotive Systems, Ltd. has filed a lawsuit against United States-based Amerigon Incorporated (NASDAQ: ARGN) for infringement of eight patents held by W.E.T. Automotive Systems, ranging a spectrum of seating and blower technologies for providing passenger thermal comfort. The lawsuit, which seeks monetary damages, was filed in the United States District Court for the State of Michigan, Eastern District.

The W.E.T. patent portfolio in question includes patent numbers 6,786,541; 6,857,697; 7,131,689; 7,201,441; 7,425,034; 7,506,938; 6,509,704 and 6,841,957. A number of products, which Amerigon sells to various original equipment manufacturers, are the subject of the dispute.

W.E.T. is also filing a response today to Amerigon's patent infringement lawsuit filed against W.E.T. Automotive Systems, Ltd. on November 17, 2009 in the California court.

"For two years, there have been on-going discussions between our two companies involving Amerigon's patent infringement violations of W.E.T.'s legal rights. We are disappointed that Amerigon did not take us up on our recent offer to resolve this dispute in mediation, and responded with litigation," said Caspar Baumhauer, CEO of W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG. "W.E.T. will continue to meet the needs of the supply chain and our customers, with quality products and the highest standard in service and delivery."

Since the 1990s, W.E.T. has been a supplier of seat climatization solutions. W.E.T. currently owns more than 300 patents and patent applications worldwide and has more than 150 inventions protected.

About W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG - W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG is a global industry leader which designs, manufacturers and supplies innovative products and technologies for the automotive industry. W.E.T. is a recognized technology innovator and market leader in thermal comfort, continually developing new technologies for car seat heating, cooling and ventilated systems. Established in 1968 and headquartered in Odelzhausen, near Munich, Germany, the company operates facilities in Europe, North America, and Asia. For more information, please visit www.wet-group.com.

Windsor, Ontario, Canada W.E.T. Automotive Systems Ltd. is a subsidiary of W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG.

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26.03.2010 17:28
Amerigon Buys Out Partner in Thermoelectric Materials Venture / Research, Development of More Efficient Materials to Enable Use of Thermoelectric Technology in Wide Variety of Industrial, Automotive Applications

NORTHVILLE, Mich., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amerigon Incorporated , a leader in developing and marketing products based on advanced thermoelectric (TE) technologies, announced today that its research and development subsidiary, BSST LLC, had reached agreement with 5N Plus Inc. to purchase 5N Plus' interest in ZT Plus. Financial terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed.

Amerigon Chairman Oscar B. (Bud) Marx noted that the goal of ZT Plus to develop and manufacture thermoelectric materials that would enable Amerigon to use its TE technology in a wide variety of heating and cooling and power generation applications for industrial, commercial, medical, electronics and automotive markets, remains unchanged.

"The commercial progress was slower to develop than anticipated," Marx said. "There were differences over the ZT Plus future business strategy between the two partners that could not be reconciled. Accordingly, it was mutually agreed that Amerigon would purchase 5N Plus' interest in the venture. As a result, ZT Plus is now completely owned and operated by Amerigon."

Amerigon, the developer and manufacturer of the Climate Control Seat® (CCS®) system, is the largest supplier of thermoelectric devices to the global automotive industry.

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08.07.2010 12:01
2011 Hyundai Veracruz to Offer Amerigon Heated and Ventilated Seat System as Option


NORTHVILLE, Mich., July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amerigon Incorporated , a leader in developing and marketing products based on advanced thermoelectric (TE) technologies, announced today that its proprietary heated and ventilated seat system will be offered as an option on the front seats of the all-new 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, a crossover utility vehicle.

The new Hyundai Veracruz is the largest vehicle sold by Hyundai in North America and provides its customers with a range of luxurious interior features, including the option of Amerigon's heated and ventilated seat system for added comfort.

"We are pleased that Hyundai has selected our new heated and ventilated seat system for a second vehicle in its product line," said Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel R. Coker. "We believe this new comfort feature will be well received, and we are working closely with Hyundai to increase the number of future vehicle lines that will offer our seat systems."

In addition to the all-new 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, the 2011 Hyundai Tucson also offers Amerigon's heated and ventilated seat system. Hyundai vehicles featuring Amerigon's proprietary Climate Control Seat® (CCS®) system, which delivers active, individually controlled heated or cooled air to seat occupants, include the Hyundai Equus and Hyundai Genesis.

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NORTHVILLE, Mich., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amerigon Incorporated , a leader in developing and marketing products based on advanced thermoelectric (TE) technologies, announced today that it has signed a three-year, exclusive agreement with Mattress Firm, Inc. providing Mattress Firm the rights to market throughout the continental U.S. a new suite of actively heated and cooled luxury mattresses using Amerigon's advanced TE technology. The mattress, which will provide individual controls to actively heat and cool each side of the mattress independently, is expected to be introduced this fall.

According to the International Sleep Products Association, 16.3 million mattresses were sold in the U.S. in 2009. Sales of mattresses, which sagged as the economy slumped, are expected to increase 4.5 percent this year and 6.3 percent in 2011.

Houston-based Mattress Firm, one of the nation's leading specialty mattress retailers with more than 580 locations across 22 states, carries a variety of brands and specializes in luxury bedding products. Its broad product selection and distribution, knowledgeable sales associates and customer-centric focus, has allowed Mattress Firm to successfully navigate the economy and prepare for growth.

"Teaming with Mattress Firm will provide Amerigon a direct marketing distribution partner with a well-established, reputable national leader in the bedding and mattress industry," said Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel R. Coker. "We look forward to working closely with Mattress Firm on this new venture, which we believe will demonstrate that our proprietary thermoelectric technology has broad potential applications for a variety of consumer products."

"This is an unprecedented retail partnership that marries proven technology from very different industries. Combining expertise from automotive technology with luxury bedding materials gives consumers personalized control over what may be keeping them up at night - support, comfort and temperature," said Steve Stagner, CEO of Mattress Firm.

Coker added that the suite of bedding products is the result of extensive research performed over the past couple of years and that actively heated and cooled bedding is a natural extension of the Company's TE technology. Currently, Amerigon's principal product is its proprietary Climate Control Seat® (CCS®) system, a solid-state, TE-based system that permits drivers and passengers of vehicles to individually and actively control the heating and cooling of their respective seats to ensure maximum year-round comfort.

"This is truly a revolutionary product never before seen in the bedding industry. The ability to use ambient air to efficiently heat and cool the surface of a mattress is the solution many sleepers have been dreaming of. Finally, there is a holistic solution for many sleep needs. By providing customers with personalized climate control options, Mattress Firm has taken another step forward in ensuring our customers' happiness," said Stagner.

Thermoelectric Technology and Amerigon's Heating and Cooling Application

Thermoelectric technology relates to the direct conversion of electrical current to thermal energy (Peltier effect) or the direct conversion of heat differentials to electric current (Seebeck effect).

Amerigon's highly-efficient, solid-state thermoelectric device acts as a heat pump in heating and cooling applications. In those applications, ambient air is forced through the heat pump and thermally conditioned in response to temperature settings in the electronic control units. The conditioned air is then circulated through small ducts or channels just below the surface material by a specially designed, quiet fan so that the surface temperature can be heated or cooled.

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NORTHVILLE, Mich., Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Amerigon Incorporated , a leader in developing and marketing products based on advanced thermoelectric (TE) technologies, today announced record annual revenues and profit for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Product revenues for 2010 were up 84 percent to a record $112.4 million from $60.9 million in 2009. The increase in revenues was primarily driven by a much improved automotive marketplace resulting in higher vehicle production levels on existing vehicles offering the Company's Climate Control Seat® (CCS®) systems, new model introductions, and the full year effect of the addition of a rear seat option on certain existing vehicles. Modest initial shipments of the Company's TE technology used in a new suite of actively heated and cooled luxury mattresses, which was launched at the end of the third quarter, and the Company's new heated and cooled cup holder, which was launched at the end of the fourth quarter, also contributed to higher product revenue levels. CCS systems include both TE-based heated and cooled systems and heated and ventilated seat systems.

Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel R. Coker said, "During 2010, global automotive production continued the recovery that began in the second half of 2009. Global automotive production in 2010 was up 23 percent year over year and up a respective 39 percent and 19 percent in North America and the Japan/Korea region, which are markets where vehicle production is a primary driver of our revenue. We are very pleased we exceeded the growth rates of the market, which was largely due to the increase in the number of vehicles offering our heated and cooled seat systems. We expect that global automotive production will again increase during 2011, but at a slower rate. With that said, we are optimistic about prospects for continued strong growth in 2011 and beyond."

Production of light vehicles in North America increased to 11.9 million during 2010 from 8.6 million during 2009. Expanding into new regional markets with the Company's seat systems continues to be a priority, added Coker. To build a stronger presence in Europe, Amerigon opened a technical support office during 2010 in Augsburg, Germany.

Gross margin as a percentage of revenue for 2010 was 29 percent compared with 26 percent in 2009. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to a favorable shift in the mix of products sold, lower raw material costs and higher coverage of fixed cost at the higher volume levels.

Net income attributable to Amerigon Incorporated for 2010 was a record $10.0 million, or $0.46 per basic share and $0.44 per diluted share, compared with net income attributable to Amerigon Incorporated in 2009 of $723,000, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share.

The Company recorded an income tax expense of $2.9 million during 2010. This amount included an adjustment to deferred tax asset valuation allowance which lowered income tax expense by $1.4 million. This adjustment reflects a change in the amount of Federal Net Operating Losses that are limited due to a 1999 change in control. During 2009, Amerigon recorded an income tax expense totaling $325,000.

For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010, product revenues increased to $28.9 million, up 34 percent from $21.6 million in the prior year period. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue for the 2010 fourth quarter was 30 percent compared with 29 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Net income attributable to Amerigon Incorporated for the 2010 fourth quarter was $3.3 million, or $0.15 per basic and diluted share, compared with net income attributable to Amerigon Incorporated in the prior year period of $1.4 million, or $0.07 per basic share and $0.06 per diluted share.

Amerigon's proprietary heated and cooled cup holder made its debut at the end of 2010 in the 2011 Dodge Charger. The dual cup holder, which provides separate temperature settings in each holder allowing the driver and passenger to individually maintain a heated or cooled beverage, requires low power consumption and incorporates proven automotive grade ruggedness, reliability and drink retention features. The Company anticipates that at least one additional vehicle will adopt this product in 2011.

The Company entered into the next major market arena outside automotive seating for its TE technology with the September launch by Mattress Firm, Inc., one of the nation's leading specialty mattress retailers with more than 580 locations across 22 states, of a new suite of actively heated and cooled luxury mattresses sold under the YuMe(TM) brand. The mattress, which uses Amerigon's Climate Control Sleep System(TM) technology to actively heat and cool each side of the mattress independently via two wireless remotes, is currently available in retail locations in Austin, Texas, and was successfully unveiled with initial units sold at the State Fair of Texas which took place September 24 through October 17.

Coker added, "While CCS is currently our only high volume product, we expect the heated and cooled cup holder and heated and cooled mattress will begin to contribute more meaningful product revenues during 2011."

The Company continues to work towards expanding its TE technology to other major market arenas. The Company's objective is for its unique technology to occupy an important place in the value chain of a new class of solid state energy conversion systems that replace existing electromechanical devices in a number of potentially large market sectors, including other automotive applications, stationary temperature management, aerospace and defense, individual comfort, waste heat harvesting and primary power generation.

The Company's balance sheet as of December 31, 2010, strengthened with total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $36.3 million, total assets of $79.4 million, no bank debt and shareholders' equity of $57.5 million.

CCS systems are currently offered as an optional or standard feature on 54 automobile models produced by Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia and Jaguar/Land Rover. New vehicles equipped with CCS systems and launched during 2010 included the Ford F-250, Ford Explorer, Infiniti QX56, Nissan Patrol, Kia Sonata, Kia Sportage, Kia Optima, Hyundai Tucson and the Hyundai Veracruz.

Unit shipments of CCS systems for the 2010 fourth quarter and year were 411,000 and 1.6 million, respectively, compared with 309,000 and 874,000 units for the year-earlier periods. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had shipped more than 6.9 million CCS units to customers since 2000.

The 2010 fourth quarter and full year results include a year-over-year increase in net research and development expenses of $1.3 million and $3.7 million, respectively, primarily due to the advanced TE materials program at the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, ZT Plus. In March 2010, Amerigon purchased all of its partner's 50 percent interest of ZT Plus and became the 100 percent owner of that operation. The Company's research and development efforts have resulted in the development of new products, such as the heated and cooled mattress and heated and cooled cup holder. The Company is also developing new products, including a cold storage box and an improved CCS system. The costs associated with research and development projects increased during 2010 as several of the projects reached the commercial launch phase of development.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2010 fourth quarter and full year increased $968,000 and $2.1 million, respectively, due primarily to the opening of a technical support office in Augsburg, Germany, and an increase in the number of sales and marketing employees. The Company increased its resources in order to support increased selling activities in South Korea, Europe and China. During the 2010 fourth quarter, Amerigon recorded a reserve of $607,000 for a patent lawsuit that is ongoing with a competitor, compared with $500,000 in the prior year period.

Guidance

The Company expects product revenues in the 2011 first quarter to be up slightly compared with the 2010 fourth quarter, representing a significant increase from the 2010 first quarter product revenues of $24.2 million.

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Sie haben kürzlich W.E.T Automotive "gekauft": Thread: W.E.T. Automotive hat einen Thread verdient!

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scheinen noch zu leben...

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umbenannt in Gentherm:

Thread: Warum hat diesen Wert niemand in Beobachtung? Gentherm