Published

A123 Files for Bankruptcy Protection

A123 Systems Inc., the Waltham, Mass.-based maker of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, filed for bankruptcy protection today.

Share

A123 Systems Inc., the Waltham, Mass.-based maker of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, filed for bankruptcy protection today.

The company missed $147 million in bond payments due on Monday and warned it might not have enough cash to fund operations. The company told the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it is exploring a "broad set of strategic alternatives" to resolve its liquidity problem.

The bankruptcy comes two months after China's Wanxiang Group Corp. agreed to invest as much as $465 million to buy 80% of the American company, including an immediate $25 million bridge loan.

A123 has posted 14 consecutive quarterly losses. This year the company has been hurt by warranty expenses, the cost of recalling defective batteries and relatively slow sales of electric vehicles.

RELATED CONTENT

Gardner Business Media - Strategic Business Solutions