Paris, France, April 20, 2021 – Mersen (MRN: PA), a global expert in electrical power and advanced materials and Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE: ALV and SSE: ALIVsdb), the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, announced today they are embarking on a multi-year alliance to develop devices that will make electric vehicles safer.
Unlike traditional passenger cars, which function with a 12-volt electrical system, today’s advanced electric vehicles can have systems with more than 500 volts. In an accident, those high voltage systems pose a greater risk of catching fire, potentially harming occupants and first responders.
The Autoliv and Mersen alliance will produce disconnect devices that utilizes Autoliv’s proven pyrotechnical safety switch technology and Mersen’s fuse hybridization concepts, to create an affordable device that can disconnect up to 1000 volt power source in milliseconds, before dangerous arcing can occur.
Luc Themelin, Chief Executive Officer of Mersen, declared: "This joint collaboration is a new promising step forward in the electric vehicle market. It’s the result of several months of collaboration with Autoliv’s teams to develop affordable devices that will make those vehicles safer. This partnership is further proof of Mersen’s ambition to grow in the EV market, which offers significant medium-term potential.”
Autoliv is committed to Saving More Lives and together with Mersen, we are committed to fostering technology that save lives," said Jordi Lombarte, Autoliv Chief Technical Officer. "Combined, we have more than 165 years’ experience. By working together to make electric vehicles safer, we will accelerate the speed of innovation and impact for our customers and communities.”
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ABOUT AUTOLIV
Autoliv, Inc. is the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, and through our subsidiaries we develop, manufacture and market protective systems, such as airbags, seatbelts, steering wheels and pedestrian protection systems for all major automotive manufacturers in the world. Our products save over 30,000 lives each year and prevent ten times as many severe injuries.
Our close to 67,000 employees in 27 countries are passionate about our vision of Saving More Lives and quality is at the heart of everything we do. We have 14 technical centers, with 19 test tracks. Sales in 2018 amounted to US $ 8,678 million. The shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ALV) and the Swedish Depository Receipts on Nasdaq Stockholm (ALIV sdb).
For more information go to www.autoliv.com
ABOUT MERSEN
Mersen is a global expert in electrical specialties and advanced materials for high-tech industries. With more than 50 industrial sites and 16 R&D centers in 35 countries around the world, Mersen develops customized solutions and delivers key products to its clients in order to meet the new technological challenges shaping tomorrow’s world.
For over 130 years, Mersen has focused tirelessly on innovation to accompany its clients and meet their needs. Be it in wind power, solar power, electronics, electric vehicles, aeronautics, space or countless other sectors, wherever technology is progressing, you will always find a bit of Mersen.