The Best of Toyota vs. the Best of BAT
25 June 1998
`Super Car Challenge'; The Best of Toyota vs. the Best of BAT BURBANK, Calif., June 25 -- BAT International
(OTC Bulletin Board: BAAT) -- The green car that "set Detroit on its ear", the
Toyota hybrid vehicle the "Prius", will be running head to head against BAT
International's Supercar to compare fuel efficiency and performance. BAT
International previously achieved 92.5 and 94 mpg in two separate events at
California Speedway in Fontana in January and February, 1998 (see press
releases 1/16/98, 2/11/98). BAT has scheduled a verifiable set of tests
against the "Prius" on August 19th at California Speedway that will provide an
accurate estimate of fuel economy and performance in typical highway driving.
When BAT first accomplished 92 mpg @ 40 mph, using a four-door production
Geo Metro sedan, General Motors claimed it was "no big deal" in press
interviews. BAT has been searching for months for one of these "no big deal"
competitors, and noted Detroit's acknowledgement that the Toyota "Prius" was
the best green car on the market. The Toyota "Prius" has estimated a fuel
economy of approximately 66 mpg in city/highway driving. Unfortunately, the
vehicle was back-ordered in Japan for 6 months and none are available in the
U.S. Fortunately, another BAT stockholder came to the rescue and purchased a
car in Japan that was delivered to BAT headquarters at the CALSTART facility
just yesterday.
BAT has urged major auto companies to "step up to the plate" with current
"green" car models and compare efficiency and performance. No one accepted
the challenge, nor did auto company representatives accept invitations to
witness the field tests. The Toyota vs. BAT event is expected to draw a large
crowd of interested spectators.
To insure that the vehicles are tested under identical conditions, the
cars will be run simultaneously on a two-mile oval track for 50-mile segments
at constant speeds of 40, 50 and 60 mph. This will provide an accurate
measurement of fuel economy at various speeds. Other field-testing will
involve measuring top speed and other parameters. BAT is in the process of
selecting two independent California University groups to certify the results
of the field test.
Dolphin Pulse Charge technology was developed by BAT over the last several
years to improve fuel economy and emissions of internal combustion engines.
BAT believes it offers a viable technology for meeting U.S. and international
fuel economy goals because it involves only minor adaptations to current
production processes without adding significantly to costs. This contrasts
sharply with the Toyota "Prius", which is a costly hybrid electric vehicle to
manufacture. Even the National Research Council recently said that any money
saved because of gains in fuel efficiency probably wouldn't offset the higher
price of the car, which requires costly batteries, power conversion equipment,
etc.
As a result of improvements made to Dolphin Pulse Charge technology since
the last test in February, BAT believes it will exceed 100 miles per gallon
@ 40 mph. By doing so, we will demonstrate that technology is available that
could rapidly be incorporated into automotive production lines with little
impact on manufacturing cost of vehicles. This will offer consumers in the
next century a practical vehicle alternative that consumes much less petroleum
and emits much lower levels of greenhouse gases believed by most scientists to
cause Climate Change.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that should not be
used to make an investment decision. Please refer to our web site and other
sources for more detailed Company information.
