Komatsu agreed to buy American Battery Solutions, a Michigan developer and maker of lithium-ion battery packs for commercial and industrial vehicles, through Komatsu America. Komatsu plans to use the batteries first in mining equipment in the Americas and later in construction machinery. The price was not disclosed. About ABS American Battery Solutions is based in Detroit and was founded and led by chairman and chief executive Subhash Dhar. It makes standard and custom lithium-ion packs for commercial vehicles, transit buses and on- and off-road machines, including its low-voltage Alliance and high-voltage Proliance series. Run on its own ABS keeps running as a standalone business inside Komatsu and continues serving its truck and bus customers. Komatsu said the deal would have little effect on its results, and it plans eventually to build a global battery supply system for its machines.
