Daihatsu May Go Elec If It Can Get Good Batteries: President

TOKYO (NQN)--Daihatsu Motor Co. (7262) might start producing electric minivehicles if it can obtain proper batteries, President Teruyuki Minoura said Monday.

"It is not efficient for us to manufacture batteries on our own. If we can procure good batteries, then we may install them in our minivehicles," Minoura told reporters. "It all depends on the battery quality."

"We would need technology for mounting batteries in cars, and have already sent engineers to Toyota Motor Corp. (7203)" to acquire the necessary know-how, he said.

Asked if the automaker plans to make hybrid cars, the president said: "We cannot equip our current minivehicles with hybrid components. It would only add to the weight and would not be eco-friendly as a whole."